The Pittsburgh Pirates can use a power jolt this offseason, and one American League club could dangle a sensible trade target.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo called Brandon Lowe an “ideal fit” for the Pirates. Tampa Bay may shop the second baseman before his final season under contract.
Lowe will make $11.5 million in 2026, placing him $500,000 behind first baseman Yandy Diaz as the team’s highest-paid player. The Rays, who seldom retain or sign big-name free agents, could thus move the left-handed slugger this winter.
Pittsburgh’s lineup would benefit from adding a bopper like Lowe, who batted .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs in 134 games last season. His .344 career weighted on-base average (wOBA) matches Spencer Horwitz’s team-leading clip for the Pirates in 2025.
Lowe would fit a glaring need for a Pirates offense that finished the season last in home runs (84) and wOBA (.293) against right-handed pitchers. The veteran boasted an .873 OPS versus righties, but a .548 OPS against southpaws could make him an upscale platoon option.
Story continues below advertisement
Oneil Cruz led Pittsburgh with 20 home runs this season, so Lowe would still offer an instant middle-of-the-order upgrade despite his declining walk rate (6.9%). An expiring contract should curtail the acquisition cost if the Pirates can’t land a prominent (and likely more expensive) free-agent hitter.
Rosenthal and Woo also floated the Athletics and San Francisco Giants as teams that could seek a second baseman this offseason.
More MLB: Former MLB GM Names Pirates As Trade Fit For NL Central All-Star Nolan Arenado
Story continues below advertisement