The Pittsburgh Pirates being major free-agent spenders is challenging to imagine. In fact, it's hard to believe the Pirates would be even moderate spenders, as that is not how frugal owner Bob Nutting operates.

Yet there have been reports that the Pirates have been trying to sign designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. After leading the National League with 56 home runs this year for the Philadelphia Phillies, it seems fanciful that the Pirates would sign Schwaber to a five-year contract in the $130 million-$150 million range. Then there would be the question of whether Schwarber would even want to come to Pittsburgh, as the Pirates finished last in the NL Central this year and have had losing records in 29 of the last 33 seasons.

However, executives from some MLB clubs think the Pirates will open the checkbook this winter when surveyed by ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The Pirates got five votes when Rogers asked what small-market team is likely to spend. The Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and Miami Marlins finished with three votes apiece, and the Miami Marlins received two votes.

The Pirates have leaked to certain media members this offseason that they plan to spend $30 million-$40 million. However, much of that will come from the $35 million they saved by trading third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds in July. The Pirates could also save more money by trading right-hander Mitch Keller, who has three years and approximately $56 million left on a five-year, $77-million contract.

So, the Pirates would be redistributing funds more than increasing spending. Furthermore, the Pirates' track history in free agency is spotty.

The largest free-agent contract in franchise history is the three-year, $39-million contract given to left-hander Francisco Liriano in 2014. The Pirates have not signed any free agent to a multi-year deal since right-hander Ivan Nova got three years and $26 million in 2016. The last position player signed to a multi-year contract was catcher/first baseman John Jaso, who agreed to a two-year, $8-million deal in 2015.

All three of those deals were struck by former general manager Neal Huntington. Ben Cherington has been free-agent averse since replacing Huntington after the 2019 season.

So why do the Pirates want to spend money now? They have a strong young starting rotation fronted by NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. That pitching staff needs help, though, as the Pirates finished last in MLB in runs scored, home runs, and OPS the previous season when they had a 71-91 record.

Will the Pirates break from their usual winter spending habits and splurge, as some executives think? We'll see.