The Pittsburgh Pirates can use a power jolt this offseason, and one American League club could dangle a sensible trade target.<\/p>\n
The Athletic\u2019s Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo called Brandon Lowe<\/a> an \u201cideal fit\u201d for the Pirates. Tampa Bay may shop the second baseman before his final season under contract.<\/p>\n Lowe will make $11.5 million in 2026, placing him $500,000 behind first baseman Yandy Diaz as the team\u2019s highest-paid player. The Rays, who seldom retain or sign big-name free agents, could thus move the left-handed slugger this winter.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh\u2019s 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\u2019s team-leading clip for the Pirates in 2025.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> pitchers. The veteran boasted an .873 OPS versus righties, but a .548 OPS against southpaws could make him an upscale platoon option.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n 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\u2019t land a prominent (and likely more expensive) free-agent<\/a> hitter.<\/p>\n Rosenthal and Woo also floated the Athletics and San Francisco Giants as teams that could seek a second baseman this offseason.<\/p>\n