Pirates Receive Bad Outlook Regarding Brandon Lowe's Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a big move last offseason to acquire second baseman Brandon Lowe. Lowe has lived up to expectations, but the Pirates roster hasn't been able to get over the hump and reach the postseason.

Lowe has appeared in 147 games and is slashing .262/.331/.494 with 34 home runs, 29 doubles, 94 RBIs, 93 runs, and an .825 OPS. He has posted the best WAR of his career at 5.4. 

While the 32-year-old is a two-time All-Star, this is arguably the best season of his career, which should pay dividends for him in free agency. He has not only been a great hitter, but he has also improved his defense, making him a more complete player.

The Pirates will want to retain Lowe, but with how he's played, there will likely be plenty of suitors. In Bleacher Report's MLB Free Agents Predictions, they predict Lowe will leave in free agency and sign a three-year deal with the New York Yankees.

If Lowe leaves in free agency, it would be a major loss for Pittsburgh, as he has been their best hitter by far, leading the team in home runs, RBIs, slugging, OPS, and WAR among qualified hitters.

It's a pretty significant drop in power from Lowe to the next-closest Pirate, as Oneil Cruz has the second-most home runs with 20, compared to Lowe's 34.

The Pirates need to find a way to pay Lowe while also bringing in a couple more quality bats to make a playoff push in the 2027 season. In the past, Pittsburgh has been cautious about making major moves in free agency, but they need to do so to end their 11-year playoff drought.

Pittsburgh holds an 80-78 record ahead of the final games of the 2026 season and has been eliminated from playoff contention. However, the Pirates did take a step forward this season, as they were only seven games back of a Wild Card spot. 

If they can re-sign Lowe and add a couple more bats while having Paul Skenes get back to the dominant pitcher he was in the first two seasons of his career, they will be a playoff-caliber team in 2027.

A potential lockout as the MLB and MLBPA work through the next CBA could complicate the offseason, but it's clear what moves Pittsburgh needs to make to earn a playoff spot, and bringing Lowe back should be a big part of that plan.