Pirates Linked to Intriguing Trade for 31-Home Run All-Star

The Pittsburgh Pirates are searching far and wide for offensive assistance, but whether or not they will actually spend money in free agency remains to be seen.

The Pirates could, however, aim to bolster their lineup via trades, and Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic have identified a potential option for them: Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe.

"Lowe, 31, would seem an ideal fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are casting a wide net for left-handed hitters and might be more successful acquiring them in trade than free agency," Rosenthal and Woo wrote.

Lowe slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI over 553 plate appearances this past season, earning his second All-Star selection.

The former third-round pick broke into the big leagues with the Rays in 2018 and was an All-Star as soon as his sophomore campaign after slashing .270/.336/.514 with 17 homers and 54 RBI across 327 trips to the dish.

Lowe then posted a .916 OPS in 56 games in 2020, and in 2021, he smashed 39 homers while driving in 99 runs to go along with a .247/.340/.523 slash line.

The biggest problem for Lowe throughout his career has been staying on the field, as the University of Maryland product has dealt with a myriad of injury issues throughout his major-league tenure.

In fact, across eight seasons, Lowe has only played in 100 games four times, topping out at 149 back in 2021. He has appeared in 109, 107 and 134 contest over the last three years.

Lowe is certainly not the best hitter available, but he owns a lifetime .807 OPS and 123 OPS+, so he would still provide a massive upgrade for Pittsburgh.

He isn't the greatest on-base guy (career .326 OBP), but his .481 SLG and .234 ISO exemplify very solid power, which the Pirates absolutely need after finishing last in baseball with just 117 long balls this past season.

Tampa Bay exercised its $11.5 million club option on Lowe for 2026, so he wouldn't be all that expensive for the Bucs in terms of financial impact. He also likely wouldn't cost much in terms of prospect capital considering he is entering the final year of his contract.

We'll see if the Pirates can swing a deal for Lowe.