This wouldn't be surprising.
Free-agent campaigns are often some of the most difficult to evaluate in all of Major League Baseball.
Some guys have strong years before free agency, others struggle, and sometimes we see guys somewhere in between. For a player like Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates, this past season was as promising as anyone could have hoped, at least in terms of a team signing him.
As Lowe hits the free-agent market this winter, expectations are high that he'll be one of the most sought-after players.
According to the latest report, many teams are interested, a tough reality for a team like the Pirates that hasn't been willing to spend much in the past.
“If timing is to MLB free agents what location is to realtors, then this two-year run from Lowe is his beachfront estate. Since the start of 2025, the slugging second baseman has tallied 66 homers, 179 RBI and 173 runs over 284 games. Those are monstrous numbers—especially for a player at his position—and they are sure to drive up tons of interest on the open market. Speaking of which, Murray wrote that there are "plenty of teams eagerly awaiting the chance to sign" Lowe.”
A lot of this will probably come down to what happens with the expected lockout around Major League Baseball.
If Lowe gets impacted by that, his money figure is going to be significantly different than what we think it is right now. Many have suggested that he could be looking at $100-plus million over four to five years, and that makes plenty of sense.
There's also a side of the story here that suggests we should be worried because the Pirates haven't been willing to spend money in the past. If Pittsburgh isn't willing to spend, other teams might be, possibly including the New York Yankees, as Bleacher Report recently predicted.
“Between Lowe's proven pop and improved defense, he has a chance to strike it rich this offseason. He very well may have priced himself out of Pittsburgh. Prediction: Lowe signs a three-year deal with the New York Yankees,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley wrote.
