John Middleton and the Philadelphia Phillies have important decisions to make in the coming months. J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, and Ranger Suárez are all playing this season on expiring contracts, and he’ll have to decide if their asking prices are too high for extensions.
Before that, though, Middleton will make the same pitch he did to Bryce Harper six years ago: What’s more important, winning, or the highest possible salary?
“I do talk to players conceptually, telling them ‘If you wanna win, maximizing your salary to the last nickel puts the team in a lesser position where it’s harder to spend the next nickel,'” Middleton said during a recent episode of “The Phillies Show” podcast.
“At some level, it comes down to, ‘What are the player’s values? What do they want?'”
Middleton is no cheapskate compared to much of MLB-the Phillies boast the No. 4 payroll this year and have the league’s highest-paid pitcher on their roster.
They’ve complemented Harper with his old friend Trea Turner, Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler, Schwarber, Realmuto, and more. All that spending has made Philly a consistent playoff contender.
“When I was talking with Bryce about signing him, that’s exactly the conversation I had,” Middleton said. “We’ll give you the money… but I gotta spread it out. Because if you want me to compress the time frame of the contract, and drive the (annual salary) up, you’re gonna restrict what we can do, the flexibility we have to sign additional players.”
John Middleton reveals his conversations with players during contract negotiations, especially for those who want to win.
“Maximizing your salary to the last nickel puts the team in a lesser position where it’s harder to spend the next nickel on getting the next player.” pic.twitter.com/AGjLN5RE9d
John Middleton reveals his conversations with players during contract negotiations, especially for those who want to win.
"Maximizing your salary to the last nickel puts the team in a lesser position where it's harder to spend the next nickel on getting the next player." pic.twitter.com/AGjLN5RE9d
— ThePhilliesShow (@ThePhilliesShow) April 3, 2025
Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies – more overall money, but less on average, than fellow free agent Manny Machado got with the San Diego Padres. It’s gotten enough talent around Harper to get to the World Series once – and the pieces remain for at least one more run.
But whether it happens this year or not, three very enticing ballplayers will have to consider what’s best for them moving forward. If that means moving on, then Middleton and his front office must find suitable replacements who believe in his vision.
