Potential Pirates Trade Target: A Former All-Star With Some Pop

This is one in a series of examining potential trade targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024-25 offseason.

Outfield is clearly a priority for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason, but acquiring Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays could help in more ways than one.

Lowe has mostly played second base in his career, but he also has experience in both corner outfield spots and at first base. While he’s not a strong defender, his offensive output outweighs any defensive deficiencies.

The 30-year-old isn’t a high-average hitter but he’s capable of getting on base and has plenty of power. This past season, Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 19 doubles, three triples, 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. For his career, Lowe carries a respectable .245/.330/.482 batting line with 126 home runs and 363 RBIs in 611 games.

Outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Lowe’s best year came in 2021, when he played in a career-high 149 games. He finished with an .863 OPS and set career-highs with 31 doubles, 39 home runs and 99 RBIs.

Lowe finished 2021 10th in the American League MVP race and finished eighth the season before. In 2019, he was selected as an All-Star and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.

While there is plenty to like about Lowe’s game at the plate, there are some concerns that could deter the Pirates from showing interest.

Lowe has been injury-plagued in his career and has only played more than 110 games in a season one time. While he’s been healthier of late, Lowe has appeared in only 216 games over the past two seasons.

Additionally, salary is always a question for the stingy Pirates. Lowe will make $10.5 million this season on a club option. There’s another club option on his deal for 2026. It’s worth $11.5 million and comes with a $500K buyout.

$10.5 million, while not cheap, is not out of the Pirates’ price range. Last offseason, they signed veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman for that exact total.

While Chapman was a solid option out of the bullpen, in retrospect, that salary should have been used on someone who plays more than a relief pitcher.

While there are legitimate questions about the possibility of acquiring Lowe, he should be a player the Pirates have interest in. Not only would he come in and provide a boost to the lineup, but he would give manager Derek Shelton some coveted versatility.