Surprising rival suddenly threatens Reds' hopes of signing Kyle Schwarber

The Cincinnati Reds remain in the hunt for free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber, but one of their biggest rivals has reportedly put an offer on the table. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Pittsburgh Pirates have offered Schwarber a four-year deal worth at least $100 million.

While Rosenthal notes that Pittsburgh is likely to be outbid, their efforts add another layer to these very tense negotiations. Much like the Reds, the Pirates tend to shy away from big-time contracts, and the only player in their history to receive a deal worth $100 million or more is outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

Reds Rumors: Cincy has competition for Kyle Schwarber from within the NL Central

Most industry sources continue to refer to the Philadelphia Philllies — Schwarber's former team — as the favorites. In addition to the Reds and Pirates, the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox are also thought to be targeting the slugger this offseason.

While the Reds can compete with the Pirates' payroll, the same cannot be said of the Phillies, Mets, and Red Sox. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, all three organizations ranked among the top-12 in spending in 2025. Boston, at the low-end, still paid out over $200 million in contracts last season.

Many MLB experts and pundits believe Schwarber could sign as soon as this week's Winter Meetings, and he could be the key to unlocking an avalanche of free agent signings this offseason. It's believed that once Schwarber makes his decision, players like Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Tucker will then receive an increase in offers.

While every team mentioned would love to have Schwarber's bat in the middle of the lineup, the Reds might be the most desperate. Outside of Elly De La Cruz (and maybe Spencer Steer) Cincinnati has no legitimate power threat on the roster.

The Reds' brass is hoping Schwarber's ties to the Cincinnati area are enough to offset the lack of funds. While it's believed that the Reds' final offer won't to be an insult to Schwarber — he's expected to make at least $25 million annually — there's no way Cincy will be able to match the number the Phillies or the Mets put forward.

Stay tuned, Reds fans. It's going to be a busy week in Orlando for Nick Krall, Brad Meador, and entire Reds' front office. If the Reds return with Schwarber in tow, it'll represent a monumental shift in the organization's philosophy heading into the 2026 season.