Pittsburgh Pirates Make Aggressive Offseason Move, Acquiring Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay Rays
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant move in the offseason, acquiring two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Houston Astros. This move aims to bolster the Pirates’ offense, which has been struggling in recent years. According to a report by ESPN, the Rays will send Lowe, left-hander Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Mangum to Pittsburgh, while the Pirates will deal right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston.
The acquisition of Brandon Lowe is a notable one for the Pirates, as he brings a veteran bat to a lineup that desperately needs some pop to support a promising young pitching staff led by National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. In the 2025 season, Lowe hit.256 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs for Tampa Bay, demonstrating his ability to make a significant impact on the field. As MLB reports, Lowe’s contract is set to expire after the 2026 season, and he is scheduled to make $11.5 million in 2026.
Impact on the Pirates’ Lineup
The addition of Lowe to the Pirates’ lineup is expected to make a significant difference in their offense. The 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park could be a tantalizing target for Lowe, who has shown his power-hitting capabilities in the past. As Baseball-Reference notes, Lowe has a career batting average of.251 with 124 home runs and 382 RBIs. The Pirates’ offense has been at or near the bottom of the majors in nearly every major category, including runs and home runs, so the acquisition of Lowe is a much-needed boost.
In recent years, the Pirates have been hesitant to acquire significant salary, but the move to acquire Lowe shows that the team is committed to upgrading their offense in 2026. As reported by CBS Sports, the Pirates were also pursuing slugger Kyle Schwarber, who ultimately opted to stay in Philadelphia. However, the acquisition of Lowe is a significant move that demonstrates the team’s commitment to improving their lineup.
Other Players Involved in the Trade
In addition to Lowe, the Rays will also send left-hander Mason Montgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum to Pittsburgh. Montgomery, who went 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA in 57 games for the Rays last season, will have a chance to carve out a spot in the Pirates’ bullpen. Mangum, who hit.296 and stole 27 bases in 118 games for Tampa Bay during his rookie season, will also join the Pirates. In return, the Pirates will deal right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston. Burrows, who went 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA for the Pirates last season, might have been the odd man out in a starting rotation projected to include Skenes, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller next season.
Outfielder Jacob Melton and right-hander Anderson Brito are also part of the trade, going from Houston to the Rays. Melton, who hit.157 during his debut with Houston last season but batted a solid.286 at Triple-A Sugar Land before his call-up, and Brito, who had a sub-4.00 ERA while playing in the low minors last season, will join the Rays as part of the deal. As reported by Fox Sports, this trade is a significant move for all teams involved, and it will be interesting to see how the players perform in their new teams.
