Schwarber, 32, is eligible for free agency after the season. Although there’s mutual interest, talks didn’t progress in spring training, and the sides agreed to table things until after the season.

Making these potential promotions and positional changes isn't necessarily a permanent move. Many star pitchers have skipped back and forth between the bullpen and rotation — and the Phillies have a lot of stock in Abel, Painter or both becoming mainstays as starters in the near future.

Now 32, Schwarber is one of several core Phillies players scheduled to hit free agency after this season, along with catcher J.T. Realmuto and lefty Ranger Suárez. As owner John Middleton said Friday, keeping Schwarber beyond 2025 is a priority. Here's what Middleton told reporters, including the Associated Press:

After winning the World Series in 2008, and getting back to there the next season, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro traded for Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, signed Cliff Lee as a free agent to go along with a star-studded lineup.

The Phillies placed Alec Bohm on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left rib prior to Saturday’s game against the Angels.

Since Schwarber signed with the Phillies in 2022, he has hit 162 with the club — the third-most home runs in baseball behind only Aaron Judge (192) and Shohei Ohtani (164). His 12 home runs in the postseason since 2022 are tied with teammate Bryce Harper for the most in baseball.

As the second half of the season gets underway and the trade deadline approaches at the end of July, let’s take stock of the reliever market.

Team owner John Middleton was joined on stage at City Hall by Bryce Harper and Ryan Howard among many others. It's this country's semi-quincentennial, the 250th birthday and it's only right according to Middleton that Philly gets to host.