Pirates Must Make This First Step in Retaining Brandon Lowe

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a list of needs they must address this offseason. However, tackling the top item on that list will be easier said than done.

The front office must do everything it can to re-sign Brandon Lowe. His first season in Pittsburgh was a resounding success as he slugged 35 home runs to a .824 OPS, but there will undoubtedly be a handful of teams that are interested in bringing in the veteran, too.

Pittsburgh’s pursuit of bringing back Lowe starts at one place, and it’s offering the 32-year-old the qualifying offer the second they’re able to.

You might be thinking, “What’s the qualifying offer and why should the Pirates offer it to Lowe?”

Both of those are great questions.

For context, a team can give a player a qualifying offer if they’ve never received one before and spent the entire season with an organization. Lowe checks both of those boxes.

If a player signs the qualifying offer, it’s a one-year deal with the dollar amount determined by the average of the 125 highest-paid players in baseball from the previous season. The qualifying offer value for this offseason has already been set at $23.15 million.

If the Pirates offer him that contract and he takes it, the team should be thrilled. They’re getting an All-Star hitter on a contract that, on what would be a team-friendly deal, is justified given his production at the plate and in the field.

However, given that Lowe is coming off a career year and is likely seeking a larger payday on a long-term deal, it seems unlikely the veteran will accept a qualifying offer, even if the Pirates offer one.

Even if Lowe is offered a qualifying offer but signs with another team, the Pirates would receive compensation. Pittsburgh would be given a draft pick in the compensation round (after the fourth round) in the 2027 MLB Draft.

Given Pittsburgh’s recent track record in the draft, that one pick could land the Pirates a future franchise cornerstone. Yes, it could also end up being a Minor Leaguer who never gets past Double-A.

Lowe has proven throughout his career that he’s one of the best offensive second basemen in baseball when he’s healthy.

If he accepts a potential qualifying offer, the Pirates would get an All-Star-caliber player for what would likely be below market value. Even if Lowe doesn’t accept, Pittsburgh would get something in return in the form of a draft pick.

It should be a no-brainer for Ben Cherington and the front office: they need to offer Lowe the qualifying offer.