Jeff Passan reports Pirates are 'in' on a free agent slugger you won't believe

Following the GM Meetings, it seemed like the Pirates intended to shift their typical offseason approach. Multiple MLB insiders reported that the Piratesplanned to spend around $30-$40 million this offseason, and others noted that Ben Cherington has more flexibility than ever before and intends on being more aggressive. If any rumor could back those claims up, it would be targeting a player like Kyle Schwarber. According to Jeff Passan in a Tuesday column, that's how high the Pirates are aiming.

Passan reported that the demand is rightfully very high for Schwarber after he belted 56 home runs with a 152 wRC+. Despite turning 33 years old before the season and being a full time designated hitter, teams aren't worried about paying him. As Passan noted, "Teams have made [that level of comfort] abundantly clear, all the way from the obvious suitors (the Philadelphia Phillies are fiending to re-sign him) and the not-so-obvious (yes, Pittsburgh is in on Schwarber as well)."

Even with Schwarber expected to get over $30 million a year, the Pirates remain involved in his market. The biggest free agent deal Cherington has signed in Pittsburgh was Aroldis Chapman for $10.5 million in 2024. Now, suddenly, he's exploring a contract worth three times that. We're talking about the team that hasn't signed a free agent to a multi-year deal since Ivan Nova a decade ago. Pittsburgh being interested here is completely remarkable. This signing would be an organization-shifting move.

Out of nowhere, Jeff Passan said the Pirates are reportedly "in" on star slugger Kyle Schwarber.

While this rumor is extremely exciting, it is still really difficult to see the Pirates outbidding other teams. The Phillies are among one of the top spenders in baseball and want to re-sign him. On top of that, many other big market teams are in the mix. It could turn into a bidding war the Pirates can't handle.

Hypothetically, if they do have the money to compete, what about Pittsburgh would convince him to sign there? The pitching is easily playoff caliber with a new, determined coach in the mix. The Pirates just have no offense to complement their group of arms.

Schwarber in the center of the Pirates' lineup would shift that narrative and add protection to other players like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds. Unfortunately, it would be really hard to convince a star like him to go from World Series contender to a 71-win, small-market team.

Schwarber to Pittsburgh may remain a dream, but the fact that they are in the conversation shows that they are finally taking necessary swings at the top free agents.