Potential Pirates Trade Target: Could Brandon Lowe Be the Bat Bucs Need?
There’s no shortage of bats on the trade market, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to land one this offseason.
Pittsburgh enters the winter with a few positional needs, but above all else, they need to find a way to improve a lineup that finished last in baseball in runs scored and home runs.
While corner outfield and third base are the main areas of need for general manager Ben Cherington to address this offseason, he must exhaust all options.
One player that could make sense for the Pirates who might not exactly fit in the outfield or at third base but could be a big upgrade to the lineup is Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Lowe, an eight-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Rays, has twice been named an All-Star including a trip to the Midsummer Classic this past season.
The 31-year-old played 134 games with Tampa Bay this past season and slashed .256/.307/.477 with 19 doubles, 31 home runs and 83 RBI. In his big-league career, Lowe has been a well above-average contributor offensively with a 123 OPS+ and has had a 100 OPS+ or better each year.
While his offensive has been consistent throughout his career, there are some drawbacks. Though he’s played sparingly at first base and as a corner outfielder, the vast majority of his defensive work has come at second base.
While the Pirates could look to upgrade at second base, Lowe struggled at the position this past season. In fact, he was one of the worst defenders at second base and set career-worsts with minus-14 defensive runs saved and minus-13 outs above average.
Staying on the field has also proved to be a challenge. Lowe’s 134 games played in 2025 were the second-most he’s had in his career, and he’s only played more than 110 games twice in.
But despite some red flags, Lowe would address the Pirates’ biggest need this offseason.
The Rays exercised Lowe’s $11.5 million club option — which will be his 2026 salary — before he hits free agency next offseason.
While in an ideal world the Pirates would look for someone who’s controllable beyond this season, it’s at least worth a phone call down to Florida to see what it might take to work out a trade.
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No thanks. The Pirates need to be strong up the middle and you already have a weak link in Cruz in CF.
To me, they need a CF who can hit AND field. Cruz isn’t the answer.
Unload him while someone still thinks he has potential.
Lowe isn’t a CF. We know you don’t like Cruz because you’ve posted this exact same comment on other threads, but selling Oneil at his lowest value is crazily inept.
Brandon Lowe a defensive liability at second base we have Nick York I like that better I think he’ll be a good hitter in 26 low as the left fielder with 31 home runs, I can go for that if he can stay in the game for more than 110 games
Id say yes esp if mcCutchen does t resign, could be full time DH with few starts & 1B on Spencer’s off days or spot duty in corner OF if day off for someone else
Lowe is due $11+MM in 2026 and it’s his last year of control before free agency. No way Bob agrees to giving up talent for a “one n done”