One day after trading for an All-Star second baseman, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he is not done yet with his team’s winter roster makeover.
The Pirates acquired Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday as part of a three-team deal that included Pittsburgh sending right-hander Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros. On Saturday morning, Cherington said the Pirates still need to add hitters to a lineup that was last in the major leagues in runs scored, home runs, and OPS this year.
“Not surprising we’ve been pursuing bats, left-hand bats, bats in all kinds of shapes all offseason,” Cherington said. “That will continue, I’m sure, as we get through the holidays and into January. Brandon Lowe was just one of those, but he was certainly a target that we identified at the beginning of the offseason. We thought he might be available in trade. Felt like he was a particularly good fit for our team, for a number of reasons. He was just one of the many possibilities we’ve been discussing.”
The 31-year-old Lowe hit 31 home runs this past season. As a left-handed pull hitter, he should be able to aim at the Clemente Wall at PNC Park.
While there is speculation that Lowe might move to first base or the outfield, Cherington said the Pirates plan to have him as the opening-day second baseman.
“Brandon brings that left-hand bat, home run potential, fit for the ballpark, history of production, and importantly, we believe, still the ability to play second base,” Cherington said. ‘That will be the focus going into spring training. He’s working really hard this offseason to make sure he’s ready to do that. The fact that he can play second, we believe, also keeps options open for us to add another bat in another spot. It gives us a left-hand compliment to what had been a pretty right-hand-hitting infield group.
“All of those were reasons, certainly everything we know about Brandon as a teammate, as a competitor, his character. We also believe he will be a strong fit in our clubhouse. Excited to add him to the team, to the lineup.”
The Pirates also acquired two players from the Rays who were rookies this year, left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery and switch-hitting outfielder Jake Mangum.
“The other two players coming back are really important parts of the deal too,” Cherington said.