Pirates' Brandon Lowe's Free Agency Could Be Defined By Major Improvement

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a good 2026 season, even without the team being able to reach the playoffs.

Pittsburgh saw a lot of growth from multiple young players, giving thought to the organization having a bright future. After the year ended, there were many players in the clubhouse who spoke highly about the upcoming season, with their sights set on going after a postseason spot.

One of the reasons for the Pirates' rise this year was the play from veteran infielder Brandon Lowe. Lowe was traded to Pittsburgh over the offseason, but he found a way to fully break out this season.

Being one of the older guys in the clubhouse, Lowe became a leader on the team, giving a voice to the locker room. The veteran was one of the engines of the Pirates' offense this year, with him producing at a very high level.

On the year, Lowe hit .260 with 35 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 62 walks drawn, while posting an OPS of .824, playing in 150 games for the team. Lowe earned a nomination as a Silver Slugger finalist for his performance this season, proving his worth.

The veteran will be entering free agency this offseason, with there being all sorts of questions about whether he will return to Pittsburgh. But as he enters free agency, there is another aspect of his game that could help him land a massive payday.

Lowe heavily improved his defense this season, posting 15 Outs Above Average for the year. Over his career, Lowe was fairly poor defensively, at least by defensive metrics rating his game.

But this past season, he showed a major improvement, which could be massive for his impending free agency. Interested teams all over the league want to see players who can contribute on both sides of the field, and Lowe was able to ease some concerns.

The Pirates would love to keep the veteran around for the next few years, but it will come down to a matter of price for him. Pittsburgh has historically not spent too much on free agents, but this is a player that the team should make sure to bring back.

Lowe won't be easy to replace if the Pirates do elect to allow him to walk, especially on the leadership side of everything. But the veteran will be looking to get paid for his production this season, and it remains to be seen if the Pirates will open the checkbooks.