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Kyle Schwarber is going back to Philadelphia, agreeing to a five-year contract worth $150 million US with the Phillies, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.
Schwarber had been one of the biggest names in free agency. His new contract with Philadelphia could lead to more activity at baseball’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., as his other suitors execute their alternative plans.
Schwarber is coming off a terrific season with the Phillies, setting career highs with a National League-best 56 homers and a major league-high 132 runs batted in. He also scored a career-high 111 runs while leading the club to its second straight NL East title.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Schwarber’s talent and clubhouse leadership. He also expressed confidence in his ability to keep producing at the plate.
“The body’s gotten better over time,” Thomson said. “He’s in the best shape of his life right now, and I don’t think that that’s going to change. He’s so intelligent. He sees the game a little bit different than a lot of other guys, and he works at it, watches a lot of film.
“I think there’s a really good chance that he’s going to maintain this level. I mean, this was an unbelievable year for him. So, I don’t think we can expect this every year, but I still think he’s going to be a high-level performer.”
Schwarber won this year’s all-star game for the NL by swatting three homers in a tiebreaking swing-off, and he finished second in the NL MVP race behind Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
“Good for him, man. He earned it,” said Boston manager Alex Cora, who had Schwarber on the Red Sox in 2021.
The 32-year-old Schwarber rejected a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from Philadelphia in November.
He hit his 300th career homer on May 19 at Colorado. He recorded his 1,000th hit on his 319th homer on July 25 at the New York Yankees.
Phillies in 4 straight post-seasons under Thomson
The Phillies signed manager Rob Thomson to a one-year contract extension through the 2027 season after he led the team to four straight trips to the playoffs.
The 62-year-old Thomson guided the Phillies to the 2022 World Series and the 2023 National League Championship Series and led them in 2024 and 2025 to NL East titles. The Phillies were eliminated in four games by the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
Thomson was born in Sarnia, Ont., but home was just down the highway in Corunna.
He has guided the Phillies to the second-most wins (346) and second-best winning percentage (.580) among all team in MLB, behind only the Dodgers (368 wins, .616).
He replaced Joe Girardi as Phillies manager on June 3, 2022. Thomson has been with the club since the 2018 season when he was first hired as bench coach under former manager Gabe Kapler.
He spent 28 years as a member of the New York Yankees organization (1990-2017), including 10 seasons on the major league coaching staff as bench coach (2008, 2015-17) and third base coach (2009-14).
Thomson became only the fourth manager in MLB history to reach the post-season in each of the first four full seasons to begin a managerial career.
He joined Dave Roberts, Aaron Boone and Mike Matheny as the only managers to accomplish the feat. Thomson became only the third manager in Phillies history to win consecutive division titles, joining Charlie Manuel and Danny Ozark.
Diaz leaves Mets for 3-year deal in L.A.
Closer Edwin Diaz has agreed to a three-year, $69-million contract with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Diaz’s agreement includes deferred payments by the Dodgers, who already owed $1.051 billion in deferred pay to eight players from 2028-46.
A three-time all-star who turns 32 on March 22, Diaz joins a Dodgers bullpen that struggled last season, causing the team to shift rookie starter Roki Sasaki to closer in the post-season. Los Angeles relievers had a 4.27 earned-run average, 21st among the 30 teams.
Relying on a 97-98 mph fastball and slider, Diaz became a fan favourite at Citi Field, where horns blared, and fans danced when he entered games to Narco by Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet.
New York prepared for his possible departure by agreeing to a three-year pact worth $51 million with Devin Williams, who left the crosstown Yankees after one season.
Diaz joins a Dodgers bullpen that includes left-hander Tanner Scott, who was bothered by elbow inflammation in his first season after signing a $72 million, four-year contract. Jack Dreyer, Anthony Banda and Alex Vesia also are in the bullpen.
Diaz had 28 saves in 31 chances last season with a 6-3 record and 1.63 ERA for a disappointing Mets team that failed to reach the playoffs despite spending the second-most behind the Dodgers. He struck out 98 in 66 1/3 innings.
He has 253 saves in 294 chances over nine seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2016-18) and Mets, who acquired him along with second baseman Robinson Cano for five players that included Jarred Kelenic and Anthony Swarzak.