Brandon Lowe Free Agency Update is Bad News for Pirates

Many don’t realize how good Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates really is. 

When we look at a guy like Lowe, all he's done throughout his career is swing the bat at a ridiculous level, and considering he's played with some very good Tampa Bay Rays teams as well, he's already proven that he can do what's needed at playoff time. 

Lowe is a competitor, a guy who seems loved in a clubhouse, and all in all, just the typical guy who finds a way to get himself some big-time money in free agency. Not that he's going to be a $400-plus million player, but there's an expectation that Lowe's going to get $100-plus million now.

The problem for a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates is that other teams will be highly interested in a player of his caliber. Every team in Major League Baseball is looking for a player who can do what Lowe can do, and now that he's on the open market, there are figures to suggest a major bidding war could be coming for him. 

Again, it seems they are going to pass a certain number, but many squads will be interested, at least according to the latest report.

“I was talking on the phone with a high-ranking rival executive recently when Lowe’s name was brought up. “He’s a f***ing beast, bro.” He’s not wrong! Lowe hit 35 home runs with 96 RBI while slashing .260/.331/.493 in his first year in Pittsburgh. What’s been most noteworthy is his improvement defensively. He’s going to do very well in free agency, with plenty of teams eagerly awaiting the chance to sign the free-agent infielder,” Robert Murray wrote.

Hearing that he's going to do very well in free agency is a positive sign for Lowe, but perhaps the worst thing the Pirates could have heard. If the Pirates do the typical Pittsburgh thing and don't pay guys what they're worth, I'd say there's a very low chance Lowe will remain on the roster. 

As I've said in the past, I really don't think Pittsburgh can afford to let him walk, as I'd go as far as to say that he might be the best free agent on the offensive side of things in all of baseball this offseason. 

If not, he's right up there with any other guy who swings it at a high level. He's that good, and when we factor in that he plays second base, there just aren't many guys who give that type of production from the position.