Pirates Must Retain Two-Time All-Star in Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates have their most important offseason in years ahead, as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs in the 2026 season. 

The Pirates finished with an 82-80 record and were six games out of a Wild Card spot in the National League. In the 2027 season, they have a talented roster and could make it into the postseason with a strong offseason.

One player that Pittsburgh must re-sign is two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe. Lowe was a trade acquisition ahead of the 2026 season and was the Pirates' best hitter, slashing .260/.331/.493 with 35 home runs, 29 doubles, 96 RBIs, 94 runs, and an .824 OPS.

The 32-year-old was one of the best power hitters in the National League, and the Pirates need to keep their top hitter on the roster. 

The Pirates must find a way to keep him on the roster, as their lineup behind him wasn't as strong. Oneil Cruz had the second-most home runs on the team with 20, a full 15 home runs behind Lowe. 

Among qualified hitters, Bryan Reynolds had the second-highest OPS at .789. Ryan O'Hearn had the second-most RBIs on the team, behind Lowe, with 76.

The gap between Lowe and the next leaders in hitters was significant and shows why they must re-sign him in free agency. A deal may be pricey, but it would be worthwhile to commit to an All-Star-caliber second baseman.

However, it can't stop with bringing Lowe back, as the Pirates need to add more to their lineup. O'Hearn could be a solid piece in the lineup, as he slashed .265/.330/.440 with 18 home runs, 17 doubles, 76 RBIs, 58 runs, and a .770 OPS. 

Cruz should also be a pivotal piece in the lineup if he stays healthy, as he slashed .280/.368/.486 with 20 home runs, 14 doubles, 67 RBIs, 65 runs, and an .854 OPS. 

Pittsburgh will also have high hopes for shortstop Konnor Griffin, who had a solid rookie season. Griffin slashed .272/.324/.404 with six home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, 33 RBIs, 43 runs, and a .728 OPS.

The Pirates have a strong pitching rotation led by Paul Skenes, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2025, but if they can re-sign Lowe and add another bat or two to the lineup, they will have a great chance of making it into the postseason in the 2027 season.