The Philadelphia Phillies came up short of the World Series last season, and one major piece of their lineup is now officially on the open market. Kyle Schwarber has entered free agency after turning in the finest year of his career, finishing as the National League MVP runner-up at age 32. His production has made him one of the most sought-after bats available, with several high-profile teams circling.
Early industry buzz linked Schwarber to clubs such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, along with the Cincinnati Reds, his hometown team. While those destinations remain possibilities, a far more unexpected contender has stepped into the spotlight. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Pittsburgh Pirates have already made a concrete move to sign the veteran slugger.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates have made free-agent designated hitter Kyle Schwarber a four-year offer, according to people briefed on their discussions,” Rosenthal reported. “The offer almost certainly is for more than $100 million.” That offer is not speculative or hypothetical; it has been made, confirming that Pittsburgh is aggressively involved in the Schwarber market.
This development aligns with earlier reporting from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, who noted that the Pirates intend to raise payroll this offseason and could emerge as a surprise bidder for a marquee free agent. With rookie sensation Paul Skenes anchoring the present and future of their pitching staff, Pittsburgh appears motivated to spend now in an effort to accelerate competitiveness.
Still, questions remain about whether the Pirates’ proposal will be enough to seal the deal. League sentiment suggests Schwarber may command a longer commitment than Pittsburgh has reportedly put on the table. ESPN’s Jeff Passan has indicated that length could be the true deciding factor this winter, with teams around baseball believing “it will take a five-year offer to get Schwarber.”
Historically, Pittsburgh has struggled to attract elite free agents, particularly after several underwhelming seasons. Outside of Skenes, the roster has not inspired widespread confidence that a turnaround is imminent. As a result, the Pirates likely need to exceed market expectations financially to overcome those hurdles.
What is clear, however, is that Pittsburgh is no longer watching from the sidelines. The Pirates have formally made Schwarber a massive four-year offer worth more than $100 million, confirming their intent to compete seriously for one of the premier power hitters available this offseason ⚾.