Pirates Reportedly Make Notable Free-Agent Offer To Kyle Schwarber

The Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly showed they mean business this offseason by making a substantial offer to Kyle Schwarber.

Pittsburgh offered Schwarber a four-year contract “certainly” worth more than $100 million, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. It would mark a historic signing if the Pirates landed the star slugger.

Rosenthal noted that the Pirates have never signed a free agent for more than the $39 million they gave pitcher Francisco Liriano during the 2014 offseason. Bryan Reynolds became the first and only Pirate in franchise history to receive a deal of at least $100 million when signing an eight-year, $106.75 million extension.

The Buccos are reportedly willing to buck those trends for Schwarber, who’d provide a massive power boost to an offense that notched an MLB-low .350 slugging percentage in 2025. Schwarber, on the other hand, hit .240/.365/.563 with a National League-leading 56 home runs.

Schwarber’s 187 home runs tie Shohei Ohtani for the second most behind Aaron Judge since the start of 2022. Even as a primary designated hitter who will turn 33 before Opening Day, the left-hander masher should command a lucrative multi-year deal on the open market.

Rosenthal said the Pirates view Schwarber as a lineup “centerpiece” but don’t expect to be the highest bidder. The Ohio native will receive interest elsewhere in the NL Central from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Philadelphia Phillies could also be motivated to retain the 2025 MLB All-Star Game hero. An unnamed general manager told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that he’d be “shocked” if Schwarber signed elsewhere.

If the Pirates can’t nab Schwarber, Rosenthal identified Jorge Polanco, Ryan O’Hearn and Kazuma Okamoto as some possible mid-tier targets.

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