00:00Kyle Schwarber stays, Phillies Inc. $150 million mega deal.
00:05The Philadelphia Phillies have made their move, and it's a bold one.
00:09On just the second day of the MLB winter meetings, the Phillies have stolen the headlines by locking down one of the game's most feared sluggers.
00:16Kyle Schwarber, the National League leader in home runs and runs batted in last season, is staying in Philadelphia on a five-year $150 million deal, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
00:27The contract not only signals the franchise's intent to remain a powerhouse in the National League East,
00:32but it also shuts the door on a high-profile bidding war that included division rivals and sentimental hometown connections.
00:40There was no shortage of suitors for Schwarber.
00:43The New York Mets reportedly made a serious push to bring him to Queens.
00:47Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who continue trying to claw their way out of mediocrity,
00:51offered $120 million, an unusually aggressive move for a team of their market size.
00:58Even the Cincinnati Reds, Schwarber's hometown club, expressed interest.
01:03In the end, sentiment and speculation took a backseat to strategy and stability.
01:08Schwarber is staying put.
01:10For Phillies president Dave Dombrowski, re-signing Kyle Schwarber signals belief in the current core's ability to win.
01:16Despite four straight postseason exits, he rejects claims the team is running it back,
01:22noting young talent like Justin Crawford and Aiden Miller is rising while the team evolves without dismantling its successful foundation.
01:30Yet one key piece remains unsigned.
01:34J.T. Realmuto
01:35Like Schwarber, the all-star catcher is a clubhouse leader and a fan favorite, and his market appears to be heating up.
01:43The Phillies are clearly willing to spend, but if Realmuto follows Schwarber's path, it may take another overpay to get it done.
01:50Still, for now, Philadelphia fans have reason to celebrate.
01:54Their MVP runner-up is back, and the Phillies have fired their first shot of the offseason, loud and clear.
02:00The Phillies are now on the other side of the offseason, loud and clear.
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