Lowly Cubs rival celebrating 'we're trying' with laughable Kyle Schwarber push

The first major move of Major League Baseball's offseason was made earlier this week when Josh Naylor returned to the Seattle Mariners on a five-year deal worth $92.5MM. Taking a page out of the Chicago Cubs' playbook, the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled out the "we tried" banner, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting that they offered Naylor a deal in the neighborhood of $80MM.

As Cubs fans found out last offseason, it's very easy for a team to say, after the fact, that they were interested in a free agent and offered a contract that was worth less than the deal they actually signed. It's a weird flex, and one that the Pirates seem committed to this offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates want the world to think they actually have a chance at signing Kyle Schwarber.

The Pirates were talking a big game at the GM Meetings, giving off the impression that they are ready to be spenders in free agency. Along those lines, Passan, in passing, mentions that the Pirates are among the teams interested in signing Kyle Schwarber this offseason. In other words, once Schwarber likely re-signs with the Philadelphia Phillies, be prepared for the Pirates to say they were right there until the end, being willing to pay the former Chicago Cubs' sluggers considerably less than what he actually signed for.

For reasons that they have the best pitcher in the National League in Paul Skenese wasting away until he hits free agency in 20230, the Pirates should be motivated spenders in free agency. But we've seen this act before. Skenes isn't the first time the Pirates had a homegrown superstar on their roster and did nothing with it, and it certainly won't be the last time.

The Pirates aren't the only Cubs' division rival mapping out a pursuit of Schwarber this offseason. The Cincinnati Reds have been in love with the idea of creating a homecoming for Schwarber, and of all the non-Phillies' options, this one could make the most sense. Though like the Pirates, the Reds haven't exactly been inclined to spend in the deepest of free-agent waters.