The Philadelphia Phillies have extended one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offers to free agents Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez. The move was expected as both players are likely to pursue multiyear contracts instead of accepting the offers. Historically, only 14 players have accepted a qualifying offer since the system began in 2012.
Schwarber and Suárez have until 4 p.m. ET on November 18 to decide whether to accept or reject the offers. If they decline and sign with other teams, the Phillies will receive compensation picks after the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski previously stated his intention to retain Schwarber, Suárez, J.T. Realmuto, and center fielder Harrison Bader, though Schwarber and Realmuto are considered top priorities for the team. Realmuto is not eligible for another qualifying offer because he received one following the 2020 season.
“Kyle Schwarber will have no shortage of suitors as one of baseball’s best sluggers, but the Phillies have signaled every intention of doing whatever it takes to bring him back,” according to a team statement.
Suárez may sign elsewhere due to the Phillies’ existing commitments to pitchers Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker for next season. The organization also expects top prospect Andrew Painter to contribute soon.
Painter could join the Opening Day roster if Wheeler is not ready after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery on September 23. Recovery from this procedure typically takes six to eight months. Dombrowski commented recently that “we’re hopeful it will be on the front end, which would even get him ready for Opening Day.”
Harrison Bader declined his side of a $10 million mutual option for 2026 this week and is now a free agent. No mutual option has been exercised by both parties since November 2014.
Other players who received qualifying offers Thursday include Zac Gallen, Shota Imanaga, Kyle Tucker, Gleyber Torres, Framber Valdez, Brandon Woodruff, Edwin Díaz, Trent Grisham, Dylan Cease, Michael King and Bo Bichette. If Philadelphia signs any of these players with qualifying offers attached—according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand—they would lose their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 Draft along with $1 million from their international bonus pool during the upcoming signing period. Signing more than one such player would cost them additional draft picks.
The Phillies’ first-round pick remains protected.
