Pirates’ rumored Kyle Schwarber bid represents a $100 million step forward

All the buzz around the Pirates this offseason has been exciting, but it's also meaningless until they actually secure a strong free agent. Acquiring Jhostynxon Garcia was a great start, but that cannot be the big move. The dream of the offseason is to sign Kyle Schwarber, and while that idea is a fairytale, Pittsburgh has at least made an uncharacteristic effort at him.

Ken Rosenthal wrote in his first news drop of the 2025 Winter Meetings that the Pirates have made an offer to Schwarber of four years. He didn't give an exact number, but said that "the offer is almost certainly is for more than $100 million".

That indicates Pittsburgh is offering at least $25 million a year, and extending themselves (in theoretical terms, at least) far more than they ever have under Bob Nutting. As a long-shot team for Schwarber, the Pirates' actual effort will probably have to reach at least $30 million AAV for them to have an outside chance. With the roster the Pirates have now, the offer may even need to be more than that to catch Schwarber's eye. Adding on a fifth year also may help their chances, but at least there is a substantial four-year offer on the table.

It is going to be really difficult for the Pirates to outbid the Phillies or Red Sox. It is very possible that this offer leak to Rosenthal was a plan to get Philadelphia's money up for Schwarber. Not long ago, Theo DeRosa reported that they were far off on a deal, but it's known the Phillies really want to bring him back.

Now that the Pirates have actually offered a star player a big contract, rather than "planning" on offering Josh Naylor, big expectations have been reset for this organization.

Pirates' reported offer of over $100 million to Kyle Schwarber shows big step forward.

The offseason began with reports indicating they were going to spend around $30 million. An offer to Schwarber could very well exceed that initial limit. Now that they have actually showed a willingness to spend that amount, their efforts must remain forceful all offseason, even if they miss out on him.

With this money, the Pirates could sign multiple impact bats. Signing two of the three key targets in Jorge Polanco, Ryan O'Hearn, and Kazuma Okamoto now feels very possible.

Talk is cheap, and the Pirates haven't spent over $40 million a free agent before. Ben Cherington also hasn't signed a player to a multi-year deal in Pittsburgh. The reports suggest that things are different this offseason, but fans won't believe it until we officially see it.