TODAY: In a follow-up to his original report, Rosenthal specified that the Pirates’ four-year offer was worth roughly $120MM.
DECEMBER 7: Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Pirates have made a four-year offer to free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber. Rosenthal adds that the proposal is likely worth more than $100MM.
The club has been mentioned multiple times as Schwarber’s market takes shape this offseason. He’s not the only big bat they’ve been in on, as they also pursued Josh Naylor before he re-signed with Seattle. Rosenthal notes the Pirates remain an unlikely landing spot for Schwarber, though GM Ben Cherington previously said the team has “more [financial] flexibility” than they’ve had in prior offseasons.
Schwarber had a career year at just the right time. As a pending free agent, he launched 56 home runs to lead the National League. He posted a career-high 152 wRC+, which ranked behind only Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in the NL. Schwarber had a strong case for NL MVP if not for the two-way dominance of Ohtani.
While the free agent market features prodigious power hitters like Pete Alonso and Eugenio Suarez, plus high-upside thumpers like Munetaka Murakami, it’s hard to find an available slugger who matches Schwarber’s consistency. The 32-year-old has hit at least 38 home runs in all four seasons with Philadelphia. He’s topped 100 runs in each campaign, while averaging more than 108 RBI per year. Schwarber had a minimum stint on the IL for a hamstring strain in 2024, but has otherwise been healthy, reaching 150 games every season in Philly.
The note that the Pirates’ offer to Schwarber is in the nine figures isn’t a surprise. We had him getting $135MM over five years in our Top 50 Free Agents article. If Pittsburgh were to lure Schwarber on that kind of commitment, it would be a historic deal for the franchise. As Rosenthal points out, the club’s record free agent contract is $39MM to Francisco Liriano back in 2014. Cherington and his cohorts did give Bryan Reynolds a $100MM deal, though it was a contract extension.
Pittsburgh’s largest outlay in free agency last offseason was $5.25MM to Andrew Heaney. The club has spent more than $10MM just once this decade, giving Aroldis Chapman $10.5MM prior to the 2024 season. The Pirates haven’t handed out a multi-year contract in free agency since re-signing Ivan Nova for three years and $26MM ahead of the 2017 season. They also grabbed Daniel Hudson for two years and $11MM that offseason.
RosterResource has Pittsburgh’s payroll at $64MM for 2026. The team was at $87MM in each of the past two seasons. Nearly half of next year’s payroll will be going to Reynolds and Mitch Keller, who signed a five-year, $77MM extension in 2024.
A return to Philadelphia is among the most likely outcomes for Schwarber, though the two sides aren’t on the same page just yet. Boston, Baltimore, and San Francisco have also been mentioned as possible destinations. Cincinnati, Schwarber’s hometown team, is said to be in the mix.
Photo courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images
That’s really cute, champ.
Make an offer they know won’t be accepted, but claim they tried.
In Corleone voice,
Make him an offer he CAN refuse……
casual – Here’s a fun fact …. of all the MLB parks where Schwarber has had at least 15 PA’s, his best numbers are in Fenway. He’s got a 1.122 OPS in 113 PA’s.
And he has not hit well in PNC.
To be fair, most players aren’t going to hit well in PNC against Paul Skenes and company. As to the Pittsburgh bats in PNC, well…
Arm – The only time Schwarber faced Skenes in PNC was June 8th of this year, going 0-for-3.
Against all other pitchers in PNC he’s gone 2-for-19 the past two seasons. I don’t think Pirates pitchers are THAT good. LOL
Knowing that Schwarber doesn’t hit well at PNC Park, it sounds like the Pirates dodged a bullet by him re-upping with the Phils.
Cmon we are talking about an extremely small sample size, I doubt Schwarber would have struggled had he gone to PNC park based off such a small sample size spread out over multiple seasons.
Looks like the sarcasm font isn’t working again on my MLBTR app.
In fairness, they are seemingly willing to open their pocketbook this off-season. The poor standing an potential for the rebuild still taking a year or failing completely makes it hard to lure in high end players unless it’s a drastic overpay
No, it’s just smoke and mirrors for when they receive a grievance from the MLBPA.
Skenes’ agent should be working 24-7 to get him out of there.
Stop living in the past
The Pirates own the NL Central now
that’s like owning a Datsun.
C’mon now. The 240Z is sweet.
Every single year.
Predictions on this site were Schwarber would get $27M/year at the start of the off-season. Pittsburgh offered $30M/year albeit for 4 years, not 5. That’s a competitive offer.
$30,000,000.00 per yr on a 4 year contract is not chump change. That’s $120,000,000.00 when said & done. Granted there’s taxes and agency fees, but that’s still generational wealth.
If Schwarber tried to get the most money for one year what do you think he could get? 45-50 million?
eleventy billion dollars
Discussed this with Keanu at happy hour. He said “whoa”
Was Joey Lawrence there, too?
Martin Lawrence’s cousin? Martin! Martin!
I don’t think 4 years at 750 bucks gets it done.
750 bucks per year or total for 4 years? Dont think Schwarb would take the latter
Was John Wick there too?
You know it. Mr Wick, kicking a, taking names. Good thing I still had my name tag on from this morning’s shift at Wendy’s.
Yeah unfortunately that’s not goin be enough
I think it’s around what he’s been reported to be after
Yeah, with a contender. He would likely want significantly more from a garbagio org like in Pittsburgh.
A contract in Pittsburgh would be worth a good deal more than a NY or especially a CA based team due to less income taxes and lower cost of living.
Then wouldn’t you sign with Texas, Florida or Washington with no income tax?
Sorry to say but Schwarbs doesn’t care about lower cost of living with 100s of millions of dollars in the bank.
Yea but when you factor in endorsements, and playoff money in big market good teams higher taxes would be offset.
Phy So he wants to be in a garbagio org for more years?
Got it, so he signs for the most money, because he cares about money, but he doesn’t care if that money has less value.
@elgaupo
i agree on what you are saying that NY and CA are more expensive to live but their biggest competitor to sign him is in the same state with the same tax implications and cost of living. With that in mind, pittsburgh knows they have no fear of offering him this deal and him not accepting.
I think this is just them trying to say hey look mlbpa .. we tried no grievence please.
More expensive, but salaries are also much higher
This is how the Rays and Marlins, famously, annually, outbid the Yankees, Mets & Dodgers each offseason 😔
Most people want to make the most $. Doesn’t matter how much you already made you want more.
Good chance the market is soft on Schwarber. This seems like a agent leak saying hey we got a better offer better step up. Teams will either step up or call his bluff fine go sign with the Pirates then.
This won’t sell a single season ticket for Pirates. So if this was some awful marketing idea it is going to backfire epically in the next 12 hours. Both national and local media would love to drop all the much better offers he received in their yearly how terrible Bob Nutting is hit piece.
If he wants to win the Pirates are one of the best places for him to go. Most fans aren’t smart enough to realize this but a veteran player should be able to.
@AI GM
“If he wants to win the Pirates are one of the best places for him to go. Most fans aren’t smart enough to realize this but a veteran player should be able to.”
explain … because even with Schwarber i cant even see them winning the division unless you mean winning enough to hit .500. I would say nearly all teams in the nl with a couple of exceptions (rockies, cardinals, and maybe nationals) would be better to win than pittsburgh.unless they go ny la money and signing people which we know nutting wont do.
Exactly why baseball is broken. Exactly why there should be a salary cap like football. Small markets in football can remain competitive. No one can buy a championship like this past year in baseball. …. It’s hardly fun to watch anymore when you have Ferraris against a Ford Fusion.
@Flyby
They’re already around a 500 team. So Schwarber adds a lot of wins. They won’t just be adding Schwarber so even more wins. Now who knows about injuries or low production but on paper or in the computer they would be a winning team. Enough wins to get wild card or win division depends on what other teams do. But they have the payroll and farm system to be a 90 win team.
You can’t buy a championship. You can buy making the playoffs winning league world series odds.
Lower likelihood of winning with a bleep organization. Good try Pittsburgh but we see what you’re attempting to do. Too little, too late.
I’m laughing at your hyperbolic comparisons, letmeclearmythroat74
The garbagio org as you so distinctly claimed has arguably the best young pitching staff in the league
“lower cost of living”? If you think that lower cost of living makes any difference to people at these income levels, you’re kidding yourself. Lower income tax rate in PA, sure.
Clear throat
Yet there are more surprise winners in baseball than football
That, and renew those season tickets because, as you can see, we are active in the market.
They were 20 games under 500 this past aeson at 71-91. I’m pretty sure that doesn’t qualify as “around 500” using any definition at all.
56-58 since May 20th. How’s that for a definition? And they had no hope of a winning record. 2026 they will have Bubba Barco KG TJ. Just sign or trade for the right 2 bats and 90 wins is not only possible but even probably if they get the right guys. Easy to do as theh have 30 to 50 million available to spend and a loaded farm system.
There is almost a zero chance the Phillies – also in PA – wouldn’t make that same offer. That said, he’ll get at least 5/$125M.
Half the money taxed at PA (any home state tax rate) the other State taxes are paid out for the games played in that State I’m pretty sure. If they make a different State their home (like FL or WY), they still pay taxes to the State where they play each game. Imagine the tax preparation nightmare!
And the best pitcher in baseball didn’t have a winning record with an era under 2 because of that garbage org.
No. He doesn’t. Not with a team built as is. If Schwarber even considers it he should preface it with the idea that he wants to see them sign or trade for a couple legitimate bats first. Then he’ll sign.
For the past 2-3 off seasons I have asked, where will the runs come from. What I get in response is crickets or rose colored glasses takes. So I’ll ask again. If all they have is Schwarber, where do the runs come from, especially when they pitch around him because there’s no fear of anyone else
Theres no way contenders are offering him 4 years at that rate
Also, “You can’t slug your way to a championship.”
-Jim Leyland-
Doesn’t mean you dont need a slugger or 2
I appreciate your glass half-full outlook, but I don’t see it. Barring some bizarre change, the Brewers and Cubs are much better.
You aren’t supposed to see it. Only 1 or 2 percent of the population are critical thinkers. How many of those follow baseball? Are into analytics? Into so much the create their own formulas? Know how to hit and or pitch? If I’m not one of a kind there can’t be many others.
Bizzare change like pirates calling up Konnor Griffin and Bubba Chandler, while signing a legit FA bat ?
It’s a given that Bubba is going to be on the staff. Will be interesting to see what happens with Griffin though. And Termarr, for that matter
Best ran is much different then most money. If a nfl small market drafts well and is ran right they can easily be a dynasty.
I much rather have that (basically the era in baseball post draft and pre-fa) then what is there now.
Not really in this case. Teams are not very bright when it comes to batting talent . Alotnof these batters are ober rated
this garbagio organization has arguably the best young pitching staff in the majors starting with Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes
Having read some of your posts I have come to the conclusion that you’re poorly educated on the subject of the Pirates
PA isn’t exactly low tax
JPR: Technically your right. You can look at the end of season stats a little differently. If the Pirates had won 10 of the games that they lost by 1 run, they’d have ended the season at an even 81-81 record. They have the pitching but need more offensive production. They also have the #1 prospect in ss/of Konnor Griffin.
Well that’s the problem, prospect. They can’t score runs. You’d think it would occur to the front office here after 2-3 seasons of this. The pitchers generally do their jobs on a consistent basis but here we are again, in an off season where Skenes is going to be joined by a number of good young arms. A lot of talk about being all in. Again. We’ll see
For sure, you know Schwarber is considering state taxes with the prospect of going from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
Well he just re-upped with the Phillies. So much for that ridiculous dream
Ah, but what are we to do to pass these frigid days but dream?
Cmon. Why be like that? So I don’t think the Pirates will be awesome, so I don’t know baseball ?
I am all for analytics, but it’s the total immersion that I disagree with. That doesn’t work, ask the Yankees.
Dog, who are you responding to with this one?
And if you don’t think the Pirates will be awesome, I salute your ability to see reality from analytics and flowery promises. Yep, you know baseball
Nah I’ve seen 5 years and 150M floated. A $30M AAV is very likely for Schwarbs.
I think he’d take around that AAV on a 5 year pact. For a 4 year deal he’d probably counter closer to around 130m.
Of course, theres always our friends deferred money and signing bonus. With the next CBA looming a huge signing bonus may help with guys this offseason
If the Pirates want to exert pressure on other clubs that’s a challenge to match, up the offer to 5/150mil with deferrals. It will take an eye opener like that for him to say yes to a last place club lacking offense.
If Philly or other contender match/beat it, Pitt legitimately did its best.
Schwarber 4/140 million, some deferred. Then same thing for Eugenio Saurez 3/100 million with some deferred money. Strengthens the lineup and surely puts them as contenders. 3B is a hole for the Pirates alongside SS. Sign IKF for 5 million and add Sterling Marte for 7 million to be the 4th OF. Allow García to play RF and CF goes to Cruz while LF goes to Reynolds. 2 thundering bats like Saurez and Schwarber, would elevate that lineup. Add in Garcia, Reynolds, and Cruz as other power hitters to accompany them, I think that can challenge for the division and put others on notice. Add in potential power from Horowitz and Flores, that lineup could be feared even if Mike Gonzales and IKF is in that lineup.
I’d love to know in what alternate universe the Pirates are going to pay Schwarber 35 million a year and Suarez 33 million a year. I think a drug test is definitely under consideration here.
I like 6 7 years 140 to 170 million in case he ages well. And if years 5 6 7 he is 650 to 750 ops guy I am thrilled. Deferred go up to 200m.
Suarez I ain’t going even close to 100m on.
I like Polanco JTR as well. Not all 4 but any 2 of these 4 or any 1 with a marte Lowe
Although it will take 4 of them if Mike Gonzales is in lineup.
What a dumb post and no one is giving saurez 30 million a year. Dude is trash
I like most of 1981’s thoughts here, other than the idea of Cruz butchering fly balls, throwing to the wrong base and jogging after balls he’s misplayed again in CF.
Maybe having a couple vets here who want to win would do him wonders
No matter. This is a fun thread because it’s like giving your wish list to Santa Claus
3.6 WAR. 49 HR. 129 OPS+. That is the kind of trash I want on my team.
He is not getting $30 million AAV, but 3/60 would make him an outstanding fit on any team that needs a 3B.
Old-Pirates have a better chance of signing Santa than signing Schwarber.
Many of these posters are falling for Nutting’s astute merchandizing prowess.
Giggling maniacally at the vision of Schwarber, Suarez and Cruz in the same lineup. At least PNC would never lack for a breeze blowing.
Agreed. Cruz could be really good with some tweaks to his approach
I wouldnt want to be a RHP who has to face Schwarber and Cruz back to back in a key situation
Goku, if Cruz had Gregory Polanco’s work ethic I would agree with you. As you know, Polanco was a blue chipper who never panned out. But he worked. He hustled. He was a solid teammate
We’ve seen enough of Cruz to know that so far, he’s been unable to get out of his own way. He waves the white flag in the batter’s box too frequently, especially against lefties. He likes to admire his homers which are sometimes long fly balls. He dogs it on ground balls He’s a butcher in the field. Here’s a kid with immense ability that should be working on his game daily. Get the batting mechanics down. Take fly balls over and over to learn paths to the ball. Have someone hit you line drives out there to understand how and when to field them. And above all, have someone teach you situational baseball as a batter and fielder
But I doubt his ego allows that. And he’s gotten a pass here so far from management.
I guess I’m not impressed with exit velocities for occasional homers when you’re hitting just above the Mendoza Line.
Schwarber? Yeah, it’d be nice. Not likely, but nice.
But they’d need some hitters around him and from what I’ve read, the kid they got from Boston alone isn’t enough.
Only $35 million too low. This site predicted 5/135 but won’t allow me to post a link or I get the dreaded, Your comment is awaiting moderation.
That is “around” what he has been expected to get just like Miami is around New York. Both are on the East Coast
he’s from Ohio and would probably prefer to play closer to home
3, when has that made much of a difference to a FA? When has a FA given up $35 million or more just to stay close to home.
AJ Burnett gave up more money to sign with the Phillies to play closer to home
Then gave up even more money to leave Philly and go back to Pittsburgh.
Aloha folks, I’m impressed that Pittsburgh offered this to Schwarber. I wish him all the best! Mahalo!
They can offer him the most $ and should offer him the most $. Hopefully for Pirates fans Nutting is intelligent enough to realize this. Pirates could should easily go to 6 150
Are you being serious with that last $ amount and contract length?
Absolutely. That would be a bargain. Won’t bet on Pirates going that high but they should. Schwarber is the best combination of bat cost available to Pirates maybe other than Alonso.
How about that 5 150m. My 6 150m was indeed a bargain.
As always,only time will tell.
He will average 35 home runs a year for the first three years and 20-25 for the last two.
We don’t know for certain this was an actual offer, or just a discussion. It’s in the Pirates best interest to make it sound like they made a credible offer to one of the top free agents so they can tell their fans “we’re trying.” If it was not a firm offer there’s no way Schwarber or his agent would deny this story. There’s no incentive for them to do so. So the Pirates get to give their story with no risk of being contradicted.
I say this because I think there’s no way the Pirates were actually intending to give Schwarber a $120 million contract.
Well I don’t think Ken would destroy his legacy doing pr for Pirates. Kinda get the impression he isn’t a fan of their cheapness.
He can only go by what they tell him. You can’t blame Ken for reporting something the Pirates tell him that’s not true and won’t be disproved.
If it wasn’t Schwarber agent who leaked it and it wasn’t true it would have came out by now.
Finally as a pirate fan, we are the envy of 80 percent of the leagues fans for a very short period of time this off season lol
What? Can’t say 80% of the league fans care that the Pirates offered a contract that will not be accepted. Mainly because it was made by well Pittsburgh.
I WANT Pittsburgh to be a force again and they’re not my team. Anyone who remembers the great Pirates and Pirate teams care that Pittsburgh is competitive again. And their fans deserve it.
I agree, they have a beautiful ball park and a long history, would definitely be cool to see the Pirates compete for a championship again.
Thank you. Hope you get your free agents as well. Think Yankees will get either Tucker or Bellinger
With how good their rotation is , if they sign Schwarber and someone like Jorge Polanco , then they’ll be really good
Signing Schwarber changes the whole outlook of that lineup
They are going to get some bats. Who’s your team?
Yankees.
Won’t be envy until the actually sign him.
They won’t show any envy either. They’ll go from we need his power and must sign him to he’s old fat holy over pay glad we didn’t take on that disaster contract that won’t age well in fact it will age like milk. Did I cover them all Gwynning?
Bwahahahaha!
Pirates will use this failed “pursuit” as a justification for eventually signing less impactful and way cheaper options.
“See! We tried signing Schwarber!”
Hey Waldo is there some reason why they can’t say this?
If the report is true it would be factually accurate.
You make it sound like Pittsburgh is doing something improper by saying it.
This is just like last year when Boston went public with their $700M offer to Soto. There was zero chance that would be enough, but they angled it out there as the “largest free agent offer Red Sox history” (brought to you by Dunkin)
So you’re saying they don’t actually want him to take the contract? What a stupid sentiment.
No that’s not what they’re saying. The pirates would like him to take the offer but know he won’t, so they can say they made an effort when it predictably doesnt end up working out
I think they put together the biggest possible contract he wouldn’t sign. Nothing eye-popping about 4/100. How about 3yrs for the same amount with a 20M player option for a 4th yr. Give Schwarbs something to actually think about
If they did actually offer him that contract it definitely is a reasonable amount.
This guy is only a DH who is slow and has seen his best years.
His average over the next four years is going to be 30 home runs and a 250 batting average.Monumental for the Pirates but his talent expiration date will be up after four years.
Justification? Offter a reasonable contact to a player. They refused, repeat until someone signed. That’s likely normal business.
It’s only a big deal because it is the pirates.
What is not normal business is offering 35% less than you know the market value. Nutting knows he won’t sign Schwarber with this low-ball offer, but he wants to be able to say “at least I tried”. The problem is offering 35% below market means he didn’t actually try.
I’m pretty sure nutting doesn’t make those decisions. He probably gives a budget and stands back for the most part. What that budget is we don’t know But probably well less than average.
Suspect nutting would have a cow if the offer was accepted. It was made to get the “sell the team” crowd off his back, not to actually sign the player. Nothing illegal or immoral, just a PR move.
This sort of thing generally isn’t the leak that precedes “Player Agrees to 4-Year Deal” news.
As easy as it is to knock Pirates ownership, I give them credit for trying to strike while the iron is hot with Skenes and that rotation. Odds are he doesn’t sign with them but at least they’re trying. Who knows, maybe we see Pete Alonso in a Pirates uniform next year?
I won’t be giving them credit unless they offer him the best contract. This is like 4 40m for them. If they sign him or it’s reported he turned down 6 160m I will be impressed.
His projected AAV was “only” $27M/yr and they offered him $30M/yr.
This may likely be the best AAV he is offered, but he looks like he wants that 5th year instead.
As a Pirates fan, I’d love to have Schwarber launching homers into the Allegheny. Would love it, but can’t see it happening. And if he were to somehow come here, he alone still wouldn’t be enough even with another 56 homer season. With this offense, 46 of them would be solo shots.
So the Pirates would have to go out and get another bat or two, albeit more reasonably priced and likely much younger and controllable
Schwarber and Marte would make them a playoff team though..and they have the pieces to do it if they’re willing go pull the trigger.
If I’m the Bucs, I’m going for Schwarber, Marte, Arraez, and one or two reliable vet bullpen pieces.
Marte has a no trade clause in his contract to the Bucs
If he hits 50 hrs for them they likely make playoffs. They’re around a 80 win team as is and he wouldn’t be their only addition.
He would never hit 56 home runs in Pittsburgh because they would simply pitch around him every every at bat.
He’d never sign there. Pirates pretending to be serious because of Skenes.
Perhaps, but the reality is, they could trade Skenes for the kinda haul Washington got from San Diego for Soto…….
If they pay him the most $ he probably would and they are able to do just that. I have doubts they are smart enough but they absolutely could.
I seriously can’t see Kyle Schwarber signing just for the money while knowing he’s basically going to be in the basement for the rest of his career.
When I was younger, I had a huge crush on Stephanie from Full House, I sent her a letter, it didn’t work. I imagine this is pretty similar.
I’m sure that would’ve been a dream come true if she wrote back to you. Stephanie also loved baseball, especially the Giants.
She also threw a pretty mean ‘Tanner Twister’ and struck out her crush, Brett.
That was very impressive. Baseball should have more female players.
Ryan, looks like you dodged a bullet there. Buccos may do the same.
If Pirates ownership suddenly decided to actually spend on Schwarber and another couple of supporting bats to back their pitching staff, they could be a very dangerous team.
The Pirates are lucky if they get Suarez for that lol
I assume when all is said and done he gets closer to 5/150 then 4/100 but that’s still a solid offer from PIT. Probably a better offer than what Jed and the Cubs would offer him lolol.
Pirates fans deserve much better than “hey we tried” offers like this.
they can’t make the guy sign with them. the best they can do is offer the guy a legitimate offer which it looks like they have and hope he wants to play with Skenes and takes it.
Its not a legitimate offer. Its $35 million too low to even be at the lower end of the range he would entertain.
Best offer right now unless a article comes out tomorrow morning saying otherwise. You don’t offer what you think he should get you just need to beat actual offers.
He’s only projected to get $132 over five years ($27M/yr) and they offered him $120M over four ($30M/yr).
How in the hell is that not a legit offer?
That’s respectable. Worth it too. In my dreams I am holding a sign at at opening day proclaiming the dawn of Schwarburgh
They made him an offer he can’t accept.
I like the attempt, but more offers will come in this week during winter meetings.
Next up trying to trade for Jose Ramirez to play 3rd.
The first interesting tidbit to come out of this years Winter meetings.
Ridiculous. We are supposed to say oh wow Pirates because they made an offer, even if true, they know will never be accepted? Ken is like the new PR guy for the Pirates. Sad
Not positive pr. Pirates pr department is terrible so they are capable of this but this is something Schwarber team would put out.
In Philadelphia, Schwarber put up outstanding numbers because he was surrounded by great lineup protection.
If he signs with Pittsburgh, he’s our number #1 hitter. At best, our ideal lineup would include him, Horowitz, O’Neil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds (both coming off down years), and a rookie in Konnor Griffin (who i’d be surprised to see before the All_Star Break)
WOULD SCHWARBER’S PRODUCTION BE THE SAME IN PITTSBURGH WITH LESS PROTECTION IN THE LINEUP?
A lot less but not much due to protection
Yes, seems about right. Offer better than 100 mill, but not enough to actually lose that money by a high caliber player who’s expecting much more and knows he’ll get it turning the generous offer down. Therefore the fans are somewhat mollified and the ownership hopes to save face. Tried and tested and still working as of today. I may seem cynical, but I believe I’m right in thinking this.
Seems you are not alone in being cynical and yet I’m happy to see the Pirates trying to improve, and I don’t hold the same opinion that Pirates are “just making the offer for show.”
seems he’s not alone at being alone…..
Thousand little bottles, washed up on his shore
Not a single fan over age of 12 are even the slightest bit impressed with the Pirates low ball look we tried offers. Nothing short of actually signing someone will do anything far as fans are concerned.
The Pirates have done it before, but tbomk never for even half of what this AAV would offer. They’ve been living in the old Neal Huntington “no one player should make more than 15% of payroll” model all these years. So yeah, even if it’s not the best offer Schwarber gets, this is news coming out of Federal St.
The Pittsburgh Pirates biggest free-agent signing historically was Francisco Liriano for $39 million (3 years)
So this offer is juuust a bit higher
What’s it like being a Pirates fan and the biggest off-season news for you is, “they low-balled Kyle Schwarber but he’s most likely not signing here.”?
It’s been awesome for Pirates fans. Majority of Pirates fans aren’t actually fans of the Pirates but fans of complaining about the Pirates.
It’s been awesome for the actual fans as well. They got rid of their bad gm and got a average one. Had a very short rebuild of only 3 years and 1 was so short It’s only 2 years. 2023 24 had contending teams. Now 2025 was a disaster but 2026 is looking fantastic at moment. Elite pitching and pitching depth. Few elite hitters on the way. Elite farm system to make trades. 30m payroll available which can be 45 50 for Schwarber.
When someone wonders what the term “dripping with sarcasm” means, they should look at this posting
It’s not that the majority of fans are complainers but rather, there’s a vocal minority that wishes to absolve the owner, portray him as just breaking even and blame attendance for the franchise’s problems.
No. It’s not been a great off season, unless rumors are your thing.
Adding Schwarber would be nice, but not by himself. Someone below astutely presents the problem. As is, why would opposing teams pitch to him?
Come out of these winter meetings with a big bat and a couple of trades for known talent and I’ll agree that things are promising
Meanwhile, the commentary about a bad GM in favor of an average GM is nonsense. Here is a GM who has not been able to produce one impact position player in six years. A guy whose trades and drafting rarely pan out.
But hey, let’s all get aboard the Hope Train, where we find ourselves this time every year
Not a problem at all. Walk him every single time. Free base. Get him up again sooner.
I bet they offered Soto the same thing last year
Pirates just trying to mess with their interstate rival
Pirates don’t have any rivals
Well Detroit according to Manfred
Ken Rosenthal reported it so it’s probably not even close to true.
You will know in 12 hours if it isn’t
All things considered, it’s not a bad first offer. I assume he isn’t signing quick and there might be more activity coming regarding him.
It’s a fantastic offer until a better offer emerges
Exactly.
Can’t take the girl to the dance unless you ask. Generally speaking.
The Pirates aren’t trying to sign Schwarber. I’m not even convinced they want him to accept this deal. This offer falls under the category of plausible deniability. Not only is the new CBA going to threaten teams like the Pirates with a salary floor (which they don’t want), but more importantly than that, it’s going to be the owners fighting amongst themselves over things like revenue sharing and how the big market teams are grumbling about how the money they’re sending to teams like the Pirates aren’t actually being spent on acquiring better players but instead on balance sheet items like paying down debt or upgrading their facilities. I guarantee you teams like the Dodgers and Yankees are going to start talking about wanting to reduce their payments to small market teams for that reason, and, the Pirates, anticipating this, want to make some sort of gesture that says, see, we’re trying to sign free agents just like the big boys!
Should be thrilled if he accepts this offer or any offer under 6 150m.
Yeah, I mean they’d be thrilled if Schwarber offered to work for the league minimum, too. It’s a secondary consideration, however, to the offer’s actual purpose- to send a message to the other owners that they’re trying to spend money to field a legit team.
Are they dumb enough to think the other owners are that dumb? Very possible.
But they genuinely want Schwarber which is a sign of intelligent life. My concern is they aren’t intelligent enough to want him enough. If I believed Pittsburgh had a smart owner I would be on here looking like a genius saying 1000 times Pittsburgh is signing Schwarber. Everyone would laugh and make fun of me and would all have to change their user names again when it happened.
I’d posit the PIrates’ actions aren’t so much attempting to truly fool the other owners so much as have plausible deniability they can present to the full ownership group. Some of the teams won’t want changes to the current system and they’ll just need some sort of “evidence” to bolster the reasoning for their votes.
And I think that speaks to the other point you made- it’s not that Pirates team owners aren’t smart enough to see how much value he’d bring to the team; only that team-building isn’t the primary motivation for their offer in the first place.
They just want Schwarber because he will instantly increase their attendance by hundreds of thousands. If he helps them win and if healthy he should that’s more hundreds of thousands. If they make playoffs that’s more hundreds of thousands. Attendance is at 1.5 and if they win it will be 2 2.3 2.5 thats the reason they are spending. And they will only blow past 100m if they sign a Schwarber Alonso. Polanco Suarez JTR Lowe would help with the winning but fans will need to see it first before buying tickets. Schwarber Alonso will sell tickets before season starts. And if for some reason they don’t they simply trade Keller and shed 17m or whatever.
It’s Nutting. He is only going to spend $ if it makes him $.
I think we’re actually talking about the same thing but in separate aisles. I totally agree with everything you’ve said. And I think Schwarber would be a huge draw for any small-market team who signed him. I still miss having Schwarber on my Cubs team. He’s fun to watch play the game, he just has a fan-friendly personality. The Pirates would be very motivated to sign him.
My whole line of discussion is simply to suggest that the Pirates motivation for putting an offer in for Schwarber isn’t to improve the team, but as a negotiating ploy in upcoming talks about revenue sharing. I think with all the talk about the Dodgers outspending everyone and getting all the best players and how we need a salary cap, teams like the Pirates are going to use that as a reason to start asking for *more* revenue sharing funds, thinking public opinion will be in their favor. The big market teams who are paying out those funds are going to say, no chance, you aren’t even spending the money we give you now on team building, using it instead on debt management and stadium costs. And now the Pirates can say, nope, look, we’re out here trying to spend your money on players, see?
I can see why Pirates fans would be excited by the possibility, but I think any opinion that Pirates ownership is actually attempting to improve their team with the Schwarber offer instead of just trying to improve their revenue sharing income is going to be disappointed. I think the Pirates are just interested in looking like they’re doing something without actually doing anything. I mean, putting in an offer that will surely be outbid by all estimates is hardly putting out an offer at all. I bet we start seeing other small market teams who receive revenue sharing funds put some splashy not-quite-good-enough offers out there too before long.
“And now the Pirates can say, nope, look, we’re out here trying to spend your money on players, see?”
And I as LA would say lol!!!!! What did you spend in 2020 21 22 23 24 25. You just did this 1 year right before labor deal so you could say this. Nice try but lame try.
lol I hear ya. But it’s a bizarre choreography these team owners dance to, with each other, with player representatives, with their fans, and the municipal entities where their stadiums are planted. Each dance partner comes with different moves, and it’s hard to decipher what the intention is.
What will be interesting to see about the Dodgers presumed nice try lol response will be whether it has more to do with any free agent pantomime initiated by teams like the Pirates and possibly more to do with how the owners know exactly what their counterparts are actually profiting from team ownership. Like, when Nutting says to the fans, hey, we’re barely breaking even, that’s not a line that is likely to be as successful with other team owners, because they have a much better idea of what Nutting is clearing annually via the Pirates. Crying poor isn’t likely to be as effective. How big market revenue share paying teams react will give us some insight into how poor teams like the Pirates truly are.
Small markets are spending the same as the large ones percentage wise. Owners realize the small markets are at a huge disadvantage. They just don’t want to give away anymore of their $. Especially because they aren’t spending it good enough for them. If these teams could build a winner it would increase attendance and interest.
That’s even more jaded and cynical than I am……but I think you nailed it
MLBTR also reported Pirates are looking at ketel marte. Theyre really trying to up their offense.
All I can say is they actually gave it a shot which seems to be more than the Reds have done so far.
we don’t know that they haven’t..
.they just didn’t feel the need to put it on CNN
Well, I have my sources… 😏
Great seeing a small market willing to pony up some bigger money for a top player. Perhaps just practicing for when the salary cap/ floor gets implemented in 2028.
Trying to make more $
As long as a cap and true revenue sharing goes with it, it will be good.
The pirates and blue jays on every free agent.
As they should be
Kyle last seen at a Circle K in Pittsburgh getting a hot dog…
there’s no Circle K’s in Pittsburgh
I guess it wasn’t him either….
probably not the only “at least we tried” offer the pirates will be making this offseason
Pirates are just throwing money at everyone so they can say they tried during upcoming CBA
No they got 30m to spend to replace the free agents they lost and having Hayes Bednar Falter Oviedo off the books. They have to spend that $ somewhere. And with the foundation of a winning team in place by spending that $ at mlb level will make them more $.
Can’t wait for Schwarber and his agent to come out 4 days from now and say they didn’t even have a conversation with anybody from the Pirates.
Probably came from Schwarber team but would be hilarious if it didn’t.
Like putting lipstick on a pig
Parody accounts should have to identify themselves when posting satire
I’m not a fan of sell out for power high strike outs and such. But he gets on at a pretty good rate.
I don’t see how they could make it happen, but hey throw offers out there see what happens. Worst he could say is No.
Pirates are able to pay him more than any team I can think of.
Pirates will sign Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, Edwin Diaz and trade for Ketel.
Contender 2026!
No they won’t
Gar!
Wow as a cubs fan I hope they don’t land him but kudos to Pittsburgh for actually trying to spend money.
Look Pirates fans. Cubs fan scared of your team
Bwahahahahaha! That is hysterical. The Pirates make an offer $5 million per year or 20% lower and one year shorter than the smallest deal anyone expects Schwarber to take. Why is Nutting releasing his bid to Mini Bow Tie? He wants to be able to say “we tried” when the MLBPA comes down on him hard for not spending money. What a joke.
If I walked into my local Mercedes dealer and said I will give you $100,000 for that new $135,000-$142,000 S580 they would laugh and then have me escorted off the property.
Rosenthal is saying Nutting just offered Schwarber $100 million when he is widely predicted to get $135-$150 million.
Nutting should be laughed at and then escorted off the property.
So you expect them to offer more than what he is expected to sign for? Mercedes dealer would love to have you come on their lot.
Pittsburgh is one of the best ballparks I’ve ever been. With their history I’m rooting for them to get back in the game. If this financial flexibility is legit I think it would still take some time to actually net a big time free agent. I can’t fault the players either since they have never committed much money….ever. I’d probably say keep overspending in the international market via amateurs and/or posting. Keep playing the numbers and some elite talent will develop. Build it right and keep throwing the FA offers out there and maybe extend a budding superstar and now you’re in business.
They have the same amount of $ to spend this year as they had in the last dozen years. Unless they sign Schwarber Alonso which would allow them to spend an additional 15 20 million
Pirates going all in for the 2026 championship. Move over Blue Jays and Blue Dodgers.
Going all in to increase their revenue at least.
The union must’ve filed a grievance charge against the Pirates for being cheap. No way Nutting actually wants him to accept this offer.
If Nutting has even average intelligence he would be thrilled to sign Schwarber for this amount or anywhere remotely close to it.
Way to go Pirates!! I don’t think he’ll sign with them but wouldn’t this be the biggest contract they have ever offered?
Great for baseball!
They offered just to say they tried
Biggest free agent one by far. Needs over 107 108 or so to beat Reynolds extension total $
If it’s true that the Pirates are losing money every year, how do they have more financial flexibility this year?
Owners tax write offs include employees as Roster Depreciation Allowance (RDA). Financial engineering has unlimited loopholes to create debt. Without debt, none of this happens.
This is not spoken about enough. Baseball team owners have all kinds of tricks like this and RDA is the biggest. The well ran organizations understand the balance of spending and winning. They understand the value of putting a good team on the field brings more revenue, especially in towns like Pitt and Cincinnati. Those stadiums in Pitt and Cincy can either be 75% full or 75% empty depending on how the team is performing that summer. The Reds problem is they are ran by a GM who only understands analytics and is completely clueless on how to build an actual team. He has the swagger of a ticket usher at a minor league team. Pittsburgh just doesnt even seem like they are trying to get better.
They only have flexibility if it’s Schwarber Alonso. Otherwise it’s the same amount of $ they have every year.
Not true they are losing $ every year. They might have lost a small amount of $ 1 or 2 years but that would be it.
They will need to go 5-6 years to get him.
Well, this was not certainly on my bingo card. xD
Something tells me he will never be a Pirate.
This just in Pirates have offered Kyle Tucker 4 years 112M
4/100.001M 99.001 in deferrals
Spread that $100 mil around to other positions and you might be able to build around that rotation. You’ve made it be known you’re willing to spend $100 mil so now your fans will be expecting more
They been expecting more for like 20 30 years
Did someone hijack Bob Nutting’s wallet? I don’t think it’ll happen but they should definitely be looking for a bat. Probably not Tucker or Schwarber, but Bader and Bellinger are avaliable.
Schwarber Alonso their top targets.
In the end, Pittsburgh will sign Bartolo Colon for 2.4M per year
Better to make the first offer since it might be the highest offer they can do. If someone else offered first they might not be able to counter, credible or not.
I dont get the hate for Pittsburgh over this. Nutting is a cheapskate that doesn’t care about winning, but its not fair to throw shade at them for offering a market rate deal.
Say Nutting is lying about a bigger budget, they could still fit a big deal like Schwarber in with a 90m payroll, so don’t see why they would be making bad offers hoping to get shot down.
It’s is to influence the weak minded and there’s a lot of weak minded. Why the Pittsburgh mascot is a parrot because they all just parrot the same things.
Where is the quote link to Nutting saying there is going to be a bigger budget? I missed it if there is one. All I have ever seen was we don’t talk about payroll. We have the flexibility and the resources needed to field a winning team in Pittsburgh. Seen that every time Nutting Williams Cherington opens their mouth.
What I have heard is the payroll ceiling will be the same as it has been for the last dozen years but could go beyond if certain players are signed traded for.
Cherrington said they’d have more “financial flexibility” than previous off-seasons, and reports after had them with anywhere from 30-40m free. So I should have said Cherrington implied a bigger budget, not that Nutting said there would be a bigger budget
mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/pirates-could-commit-30…
I’ll read it in a bit. Sounds like he didn’t imply anything. He just knows they are going to spend 30m and probably on some more exciting names so it’s his lil marketing attempt.
The financial flexibility is because they got Hayes contract off books. Don’t have to pay Bednar and a few others in arbitration. Don’t have to give 3 to 5 million to a 1b. Don’t have to give 5 to 8 million to a old lefty starter.
Look at Pirates payroll. Absolutely they can spend 30 to 40 million. And if it’s 30m it won’t be any larger than they could have spent any other year. Nutting has been around 100m before. Payroll won’t be bigger though. Bigger than last year but that’s just because there wasn’t any free agents for them.
Flexibility also means that depending on who they sign payroll can go up because that player will make them $. If they sign Schwarber they sell hundreds of thousands of more tickets. So if without Schwarber payroll was going to be 90 95 100 now it can be 105 110 115. They can also trade Keller for flexibility as he makes 17m or so. So absolutely they can spend 30 40 million and they are certainly flexible. They won’t have a bigger budget. Would appear so. Will be exciting. But if the trades and free agents that are available this year were available in 2024 2025 they would have tried to do the same thing.
Small quote. More flexibility than other off seasons since he’s been there. Well yeah. 2020 2021 2022 they had pandemic and Nutting was paying the entire previous management staff to sit at home. Perfect time and no choice but to have a rebuild. Winning creates attendance and he didn’t have the farm system until really now but 2025 at best to win. Now everything is set up to win. They have a ridiculously low payroll. And there are players available worth paying. If they win this year and there is baseball in 2027 attendance will go from 1.5 2025 to near 2.5 in 2027. And if they sign a exciting big name like Schwarber Alonso it can do that in 2026 or at very least get to 2 million.
Payroll isn’t going to 110 115 unless they sign a big exciting guy. If they can get a interesting player like Marte Lowe or get potential good players like JTR Polanco Suarez it will go to 100 which is bigger than under Cherington but same as Nutting did a decade ago. None of those players I mentioned and it’s Pham Frazier types again well it’s looking like 90m because they aren’t going to sell tickets.
And I like Marte Lowe. Just they didn’t play in big markets and won hr derby or swing off all star game to make them as exciting.
It won’t be Nutting taking less $ to authorize more $. If he wins the off season his attendance will go up, pirates will win, and next TV deal gets larger. More corporate sponsorship and advertising.
If they by some chance sign a high priced hitter that means either Reynolds or Keller get traded for sure for minor league hitters.
Nutting will look at $25M minus $16M equals a $9M addition.
The attendance and TV deal increase will pay for Schwarber or Alonso. Pnc park will go from 1.5 million to 2.5 TV deal will increase 50 percent. Better sponsorship deals. Only reason they are interested in them. They would never actually pay them 25 30 million a year. Just offered this contract because he won’t cost anything. Maybe they lose some $ or make a little profit. That’s the risk part. If they make playoffs they make $. If Schwarber or Keller Skenes miss most the season they have to pay him. Then they trade Reynolds Keller. So really it’s hard to lose.
Shwarber wants to go back to Philly and will use offers like this and the inevitable “we tried” offer from Cincinnati to create urgency for Philly. He knows those 2 organizations arent going anywhere, why would he wanna go and play for wildcard (at best) contenders? Its close to his hometown? For 130 million he can fly home whenever he wants. He has 5 years of earning at high level left and then he can spend all the time in the world wherever he wants to go.
The difference is though that the NL Central is a weaker division than the NL East and honestly a signing like this could make either the Reds or Pirates division contenders, particularly if the Brewers are as cautious as they’ve been over the past several years. The Cubs don’t seem to be able to spend their money in the right ways but they’re always a potential leader as well and the Cards are rebuilding for the next few years.
All that to say, I wouldn’t relegate either the Reds or Pirates to WC only hopefuls in that division.
Pirates lol
Can’t scream “The sky is falling!” every year since Nutting…er…Chicken Little took over, then suddenly roll out and claim the opposite. You dictated the terms, now deal with the consequences.
He will end up in Colorado after a fierce bidding war between the Marlins, Pirates and Rox. 5 years, 130 million…
Talking massive Pirate contracts , I was jonesing for an Andy Van Slyke reference link.
I feel it is a strong and fair offer. Why? 4 years is a long time. PNC Park right field depth should be very attractive to him. Opportunity to help turn a frachise around with a once in a lifetime type pitcher, Skenes, plus the rest of the staff is excellent. 25 million with PGH cost of living is huge. Pride, CAN HE BE THE MAN? Does he want CHALLENGE or MONEY? We’ll see who he is.
No one is playing in Shittsburg unless they cant get a deal anywhere and they dont wanna retire.
Maybe this offer at least gets the attention of other players on the same (or similar) tier that the Pirates have money to spend and want a quality player. Shwarber seems like a gamble to me for a long-term contract, so I understand why they only offered four years (and why he wants five). But if putting this money out there leads to a comparable player, who knows? Maybe they do something this year.
I think it’s a decline.
Very interesting rumor! Go Pirates! ARRGH!
*not a bad offer either!
Even the Pirates are being more aggressive than the White Sox. Sell the team, Jerry. Now, not after the 2033 season.
Pirates can spend 30 40 million and make playoffs have attendance go up by a million. Are white Sox in same position?
Sign Schwarber, go get Brandon Lowe, and maybe a cheap bat, the pirates will be a playoff team.
Hey, you never know. There might be a player out there who isn’t fueled about getting the last nickel or in baseball terms, the last 500k. Perhaps a player who doesn’t want the big city hassles and instead chooses to live on a farmland setting or doesn’t need greed to make the final decision…but I could be delusional. The anti Scott Boras and Alex Bregman type
I think the Pirates used that magic wand when they signed Cutch to a hometown discount. Like you, it’d be refreshing to see a player say, “Yeah, I want to be a part of rebuilding a franchise” as much as “I love Pittsburgh, and I’ll take a little less money to play there” Yeah. But I loved Fantasy Island, too
Those days are done
Word on the street Nutting’s offer included reserved seating in picnic area for Schwarbs’ family @PNC park on Tues. & Thurs.
If it was 4 years/$120M that’s not much less than whatever the best offer will wind up being. That’s a legitimate offer- in theory.
I realize the winning offer could wind up 4 years/$130M or 5 years/$175M or something, but 4 years/$120M is relatively competitive for real.
Now, lets see the Oakland A’s of Sacramento offer him like 6 years/$195M lol.
Hopefully everyone who says this was a fake offer now knowing that it was a legitimately competitive offer will change their tune?
Knowing this and seeing the risk that they were willing to take in the Garcia/Oviedo trade, this is a very positive start to the Pirates offseason. Very encouraging.
His agent’s only using Pirates to raise his price.
Nice floor for Schwarber to work off of…
I think I’d rather go six years and $180 million on Schwarber’s bat aging well than 10 years on Kyle Tucker for $350 million and betting that Tucker remains very good for a decade…
4/120 is a fair offer overall and considering it’s the first reported, no reason to be negative about it.
Where are all of the negativity anti- Pirate organizations commenters now when they jumped on the 100 number – when the original post suggested it was likely over 100, now?
That’s what other teams have to beat now.
Would like to see him in Pitt or Cincy as underdogs to get him.
The Reds can have a shot being the hometown team. However, they will have to get creative like a former GM did with Ken Griffey Jr. Deferrals are legal right now so I would use that. Everybody likes a good retirement plan. 😁
Seriously. Crapping on the Pirates is the easiest thing for commenters to do and then when they try to make a legitimate move people don’t know what to do and so they just stay silent.
This is why I love what Skenes said at his Cy Young award–29 other teams expect us to lose and he wants to be one of the 26 guys who believe we can win. Hopefully Schwarber wants to be one of those 26 guys too.
MLBPA wants a salary floor w no cap. Owners want a cap no floor. Outlets like Foul Territory are controlling the narrative. MLBTR is unbiased. Rest have agendas
They will need both for it to work.
MLB Network, ESPN and others have their agendas too. All networks have agendas anymore, just reporting news has gone by the wayside. Probably because corporate conglomerates own all the networks.
The Pirates got the first punch in, and now they’ll have to see if they stunned their opponents or just woke them up.
The good thing for them is that some of the “opponents” are not real, SFG for one.
This is true but I’d offer that they (or any other team) just set the amount for Philly to match.
I think most believe his return to Philly is a virtual lock. This seems like a “go get your offers and we will match it” situation as a method of negotiation between Kyle and Philly.
The Pirates have below average hitters at almost every position. Blowing their budget with an offer like this is really stupid. He would just be walked 150 times. If the Pirates are going to spend, they should try to improve at as many positions as possible
If this is their only move, sure, I can agree. But if they also trade Keller for a hitter like Kwan and pick up another low cost FA outfielder like Yas or Kepler then this is a great move. They cannot be players for other higher priced FA like Tucker or Bellinger so this is the only big name that is legitimately a stretch they could potentially reach.
So, by itself with no other moves, yes, it’s not a good use of money. But if it’s paired with other smaller moves which it most certainly would be, I can get behind it very easily.
If they don’t get Schwarber, hopefully this means they are competitors for Suarez.
If they drop big money on Kyle, and then prospects on another hitter with a low AV, then the budget is still intact.
This move could in theory give Reynolds & Cruz better AB opportunities if they are sandwiched around Schwarber.
*I don’t have much enthusiasm for Cruz though.
I share some of the hopelessness for Cruz but I honestly wonder how he would do without the pressure of having to be the Pirates power guy. Coming out from under those expectations and instead having to just get on base, I wonder how much lower his chase rate gets.
I do have more hope for Reynolds though. I think he’ll thrive under not being the guy people are looking to be THE offensive generator. Someone taking the spotlight from him will, I think, allow him to settle into his role as a 2 or 3 guy in the lineup.
I could see Schwarber as the best hitting coach this team has ever had. It’s up to the others to let the advice sink in, and put it into action.
Would love to see him take the offer and the Pirates shut all the haters and doubters up
Kyle last spotted on a train heading to Pittsburgh….
Nutting would make him take a bus.
Apparently he got re-routed to Philly. Game over
I don’t like the Pirates, but they really need a signing like this for their fans. Sign Schwarber and a couple more bats to put behind him and they could be a good team this year.
RUMOR IS; Scott Boras is using a FAKE BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
Pirates fans crying their team doesn’t try. Pirates try and it’s not good enough. Must be the same people that think Mike Tomlin should be fired.
Mike Tomlin SHOULD be fired. The last decade is all the evidence you need.
I think Bob Nutting willing to spend like this could be a sign of things to come when it comes to revenue sharing and a cap/floor.
All the discussion is fun to read. Fact is, baseball player performance is a variable, not a constant. Would Schwarber be the same hitter surrounded by Reynolds and Cruz as he was with Turner and Harper? Otoh Reynolds and Cruz struggled partly because pitchers saw no need to throw them a hittable pitch – with Schwarber lurking that might change. Part of the fascination of the game.
The offensive knowledge that Schwarber has would be a trickle down effect on the rest of the hitters and the pitching staff.
Davis & Gonzales were essentially the best hitters in every league they played in up until MLB. If something clicks with them, then the lineup gets deep pretty quickly.
Its nice that its a reasonable real money offer but you know its a “we tried” offer
Seems like an attempt to sway Skenes to stay. If he were smart, he would run far and run fast.
He’s not a FA. The only other place he could go is his couch.
Or Olivia Dunne’s couch!
LMFAO
Nutting is only setting the bar higher for teams that are serious about signing Schwarber like the Phillies, Mets and maybe the O’s. Besides, at his age Schwarber probably isn’t gonna sign with a team unless he feels that team is a legitimate playoff contender. The Bucs don’t qualify there.
If the bucs arent contending, theyll flip him to a contender by year two.
Funny thing is, that’s an offer I would consider as I think Pittsburgh is one of the better areas to play in. I would take 4/120 from the Pirates long before I’d take 4/140 from, say, the Giants or the Orioles.
This Pirates offer might be the biggest news to come out of the winter meetings this year.
Yankees almost sign Soto for more money, so sign this guy ASAP for 145 M.
And apparently, he is signing with Philly – I guess they got the message!
Say what you want about Pittsburgh’s ownership and budget (which in reality align with what the market is capable of sustaining), smaller markets are up against it when it comes to the other opportunities playing in a big market provides. Exposure to grow your “brand” as an athlete is a BIG deal, more people can name the 26th man on the Yankees roster than anyone outside of Skenes, Reynolds, Cutch and Cruz from the Pirates. That has a dollar figure attached to it, and not a small one.
Philadelphia is a larger market, with more opportunities for endorsements, national TV games, etc. Free agents are only selecting Pittsburgh when one of two things is true: 1) The Pirates offer significantly more money than just about everyone else OR 2) They choose Pittsburgh to rebuild value, get playing time or because they have roots in the area.
Every guy on the Yankees has some sort of endorsement deal that pays more than the league minimum, no one (outside of Skenes due to his national profile) on the Pirates can command that kind of money to appear in a commercial or ad campaign, no matter how good they are.
Somewhere in the not too distant future Schwarber’s agent will let it drop that the Pirates never actually made an offer. Just as we know they never actually made an offer to Naylor.
That’s a misprint. Its supposed to say $12 million not 120.