HOUSTON — Once it was over, Kyle Schwarber did what he almost always does after a game, win or lose. He sat down at his locker, cracked a beer, and decompressed with half a dozen teammates.
But this felt different. Of course it did. Because the Phillies’ joyous romp through the postseason ended Saturday night with a 4-1 thud against the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the World Series, and it will be months before the group meets like this again.
Some won’t be back. The sun rose Sunday, and 131 players became free agents, including six Phillies, most notably pitchers Kyle Gibson, Brad Hand, David Robertson and Noah Syndergaard. Others, including Jean Segura and Zach Eflin, may join them once decisions are made on options. By week’s end, the market will be open.
