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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates, one of the most conservative organizations in free agency spending, are giving clear signs of a change in strategy this winter. According to a report by journalist Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic), the club has presented a four-year offer to the powerful left-handed hitter Kyle Schwarber, a move that would mark a historic shift in the team's philosophy.
You may be interested in:Jeff Kent, home run leader among second basemen, is elected to the Hall of Fame via Contemporary Era Committee
According to Rosenthal, the proposal would easily exceed US$100 million, which would represent one of the largest contracts ever offered by the franchise. Even so, the analyst highlights that, despite the aggressiveness of the offer, Pittsburgh remains a remote possibility for the outfielder/designated hitter, who has a wide market.A drastic change in the history of the Pirates
So far, the Pirates have only awarded one contract exceeding US$100 million: the US$106.75 million extension to outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Their largest free agency signing continues to be the US$39 million deal with Dominican Francisco Liriano in 2014.
Adding Schwarber —one of the most powerful hitters in MLB and the historical home run leader in the postseason among active players— would send a clear message that the organization seeks to compete in the short term.Disappointment and surprise in voting by the Contemporary Era Committee
In another news front from the baseball world, Sunday's day was marked by strong emotions at the Signia by Hilton hotel in Orlando, where the result of the vote of the Contemporary Era Committee of the Hall of Fame was announced.What many Latino journalists and former players hoped would be the election of the Puerto Rican Carlos Delgado, ended in surprise when the president of the Hall of Fame, Josh Rawitch, announced that the only elected was Jeff Kent, former second baseman with the Blue Jays, Mets and Giants.
Delgado near, Valenzuela is out for a long time
Delgado obtained nine of the 16 votes, falling three short of the minimum required (12) to enter, although this ensures he will be on the ballot again in three years. Different was the case of the Mexican Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela, who received less than five votes, which leaves him out of the process of this committee until at least 2028. Rawitch highlighted that, despite not being elected, both have an indelible legacy within the sport:“What Fernando did in baseball isn't going to change because he doesn't have a plaque… He's in our museum,” he stated.
Jeff Kent, deserved election
The election of Jeff Kent has been well received. His 377 home runs, the most for a second baseman in history, and his 1,518 RBIs, place him as one of the most productive offensive second basemen of all time. Former major leaguer Carlos Baerga praised the new immortal:“Truly, impressive numbers. He deserves it. He is one of the best offensive second basemen in history”.
