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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly secured a reunion with Kyle Schwarber on Tuesday, and a lot of other clubs were left disappointed.
Before Schwarber's reported five-year, $150 million contract was in the process of being finalized on Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati Reds were all known to either have a strong interest in Schwarber or made an offer. But the team that may very well have pushed the Phillies the hardest wasn't who most would have predicted.
According to a Tuesday report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, it was the Orioles who first offered the three-time All-Star the exact amount he wound up accepting from the Phillies. Rosenthal also reported that the Reds came in at five years and close to $125 million, while the Pirates came in at four years, $120 million.
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"The Orioles offered Schwarber the same five-year, $150 million contract he agreed to Tuesday with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to people briefed on the negotiations," wrote Rosenthal. "Schwarber, who turns 33 in March, was always expected to return to Philadelphia. But the Orioles’ push essentially forced the Phillies to offer the same terms, one source said."
Considering how many teams were confirmed to be in the mix for Schwarber, it's something of a surprise that the Phillies' hand was forced by the last-place team in this year's American League East. But Schwarber coming back was what mattered, and Philadelphia was left with ample time to figure out how to manage its roster with whatever budget is left over.
In the meantime, the AL East's other four teams, three of whom made the playoffs this season, may want to take notice. The Orioles appear to be hungry for stars, and Rosenthal made it sound as though their plans to spend big didn't end with Schwarber.
"Outfielder Kyle Tucker and first baseman Pete Alonso are among the free-agent hitters the Orioles are considering," Rosenthal wrote. "They are also believed to be involved in talks for left-hander Framber Valdez and Robert Suarez, among other players."
As the Orioles learned on Tuesday, there's no prize for a second-place finish in free agency. But the determination to land a big-money star could pay off soon if Baltimore keeps getting shots on target.
More MLB: Phillies Make Major Rob Thomson Announcement Amid Kyle Schwarber Reports
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