Lowe said he’s “all ears” on returning to the Pirates, in an interview with Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<\/a>, who also revealed the ball club is interested in bringing him back.<\/p>\n The Pirates must take advantage of Lowe’s interest and secure his future this winter. <\/p>\n Why the Pirates Need to Re-Sign Lowe<\/p>\n Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made the best trade<\/a> of his tenure when he landed Lowe, along with left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum from the Tampa Bay Rays.<\/p>\n Lowe was exactly what the Pirates needed: a veteran with postseason experience and a left-handed power bat suited for the right field wall at PNC Park.<\/p>\n Sep 16, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (5) hits a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The Pirates have gotten all of that and then some from Lowe, who has been the best power-hitting<\/a> second baseman in baseball, a leader for a young team, and has also greatly improved defensively.<\/p>\n His 32 home runs lead the Pirates, are the most for any second baseman in baseball and are tied for the 11th-most in MLB.<\/p>\n Lowe’s production helped the Pirates go from hitting the least home runs in baseball in 2025 (117) to setting a franchise record<\/a> in 2026 (176).<\/p>\n His defense might be the most impressive part, as Lowe went from one of the worst fielding second baseman to one of the best.<\/p>\n Lowe turned his -14 defensive runs saved (DRS) and -10 outs above average (OAA) with the Rays last season to +14 DRS and +12 OAA to the Pirates this season.<\/p>\n All of these attributes make Lowe a hugely important player and one they can’t let go of.<\/p>\n Payroll Can’t Be Factor for Lowe<\/p>\n It’s no secret that the Pirates have one of the smallest payrolls in baseball under owner Bob Nutting, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.<\/p>\n The Pirates aren’t a franchise that makes huge financial commitments, but they’ve shown that by signing free agent Ryan O’Hearn<\/a> to a two-year, $29 million deal and inking rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin to a record nine-year, $140 million contract extension<\/a> shortly after his MLB debut.<\/p>\n Jul 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (29) circles the bases on a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Both deals are a deviation from the norm for the Pirates, making O’Hearn their first multi-year free-agent signing since 2016 and committing their future to Griffin when he was 19 years old.<\/p>\n Re-signing Lowe should be much the same for the Pirates, who will face stiff competition for his signature this winter.<\/p>\n The looming lockout, which comes with the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on Dec. 1, should also not sway the Pirates and their pursuit of Lowe.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh is out of playoff contention this season<\/a>, but there is reason to believe they can finally achieve that goal in 2027.<\/p>\n Lowe joins a great lineup with the likes of outfielders in Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez, first baseman Spencer Horwitz, third baseman Nick Gonzales<\/a>, catcher Rafael Flores Jr., plus Lowe and Griffin.<\/p>\n The Pirates also have a strong starting rotation, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones and Paul Skenes, plus an improved bullpen following the trade deadline.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh had a solid offseason last year, but they should aim even higher this year, going after the players they need to end their 11-year postseason drought.<\/p>\n Re-signing Lowe shows that commitment and convinces a beleaguered fan base that they should have faith in the 2027 Pirates to turn it around.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2x8sqxmt10xed6cre.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2xa6q64b2z11g3ew1.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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