Kyle Schwarber reportedly has received 4-year offer from the Pirates

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are continuing in their improbable quest to lure Kyle Schwarber to the other side of Pennsylvania.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Pirates have offered Schwarber a four-year deal. The exact terms of the potential pact aren't known, but Rosenthal goes on to say that "the offer almost certainly is for more than $100 million."

This does not mean that the Pirates are the favorites to sign Schwarber, with Rosenthal noting that the Buccos "remain a longshot" for the NL MVP runner-up. However, their uncharacteristic interest in a player of this caliber is indicative of a couple things. 

First off, a year before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, Bob Nutting and the Pirates are all of a sudden involved on the free-agent market. It's fair to be cyclical about their motivations, and from Schwarber's perspective, skeptical that the Pirates will remain motivated in future offseasons. 

More importantly to the Phillies, this is indicative of how robust the market is for Schwarber, despite him being a DH entering his age-33 season. ESPN's Jeff Passan noted last weekend that the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds are also interested in the three-time All-Star. 

While the Red Sox and Mets have financial muscle and are capable of driving up the price and potentially even outbidding the Phillies, the Reds might be the scariest team if they are actually willing to make a competitive offer. Schwarber is from Middletown, Ohio, and the chance to play for the team he grew up rooting for is likely tempting. 

Passan said last weekend that he would "be surprised" if Schwarber hasn't signed with a team by the end of the MLB Winter Meetings, which begin in earnest Monday and wrap up Thursday morning. 

Rosenthal didn't give quite as succinct a timeline, but did say that he "is expected to make his decision within the next two weeks." 

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