BREAKING: Kyle Schwarber Draws Massive Interest as Rebuilding Pittsburgh Pirates Enter Bidding War.vc
(MLB FREE AGENCY) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was always expected to be one of the hottest bats on the free-agent market after his monster 2025 season (56 HR, 132 RBI). However, the bidding war for the full-time Designated Hitter has intensified dramatically with a truly surprising addition: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and other MLB insiders, the rebuilding Pirates have entered the sweepstakes, challenging the conventional wisdom of free-agent spending and signaling a massive shift in their organizational philosophy.
The Surprise Suitor: Pittsburgh Pirates
For the Pirates—a franchise whose largest free-agent deal ever was just $39 million—a serious pursuit of a player projected to earn well over $130 million over five years is unprecedented.
- The Logic: Pittsburgh finished dead last in the majors in home runs, RBIs, and slugging in 2025. Dropping a left-handed bat like Schwarber into the heart of their order, alongside young talents like Paul Skenes in the rotation, would instantly provide the margin for error their young core desperately needs.
- New Financial Flexibility: General Manager Ben Cherington has publicly committed to upgrading their anemic offense, backed by new financial flexibility. A move for a star of Schwarber’s caliber would be a powerful signal to a fanbase weary of losing that the Pirates are finally ready to compete.
The Competition Driving Up the Price
The Pirates are not alone, and their entry only helps drive up the price for the 33-year-old slugger, who turned down the Phillies’ $22.025 million Qualifying Offer. The competition is fierce among contenders:
| Team | Motivation |
| Philadelphia Phillies | The overwhelming favorite. They view Schwarber as a clubhouse anchor and the emotional center of their offense. |
| Boston Red Sox | Looking for a middle-of-the-order force and hoping to rectify the mistake of letting him walk after 2021. |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Need a left-handed power complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
| New York Mets | Always in the market for elite offensive talent to compete in the NL East. |
| Cincinnati Reds | Schwarber’s Midwest roots make his hometown team a dark horse, emotional contender. |
Given that Schwarber’s age and DH-only profile will likely limit his contract to five years, his high demand is driving the Average Annual Value (AAV) well above $30 million per season. The Pirates’ surprise involvement confirms that the market for power bats is explosive, forcing contending teams to pay a premium to secure the elite slugger.
