Pirates Rumors: Rays slugger linked to Pittsburgh in trade buzz

It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates need to improve their offense. Nor is it a secret that they don't like to spend money in free agency.

That leaves the trade market as Pittsburgh's best – and perhaps only – opportunity to add an impact bat this offseason. In an ESPN exclusive (subscription required) MLB writer David Schoenfield named one potential trade target for Pittsburgh at the upcoming winter meetings who could simultaneously satisfy their need for offense and fill the club's conspicuous hole at first base: Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe.

" would be an option for either first or second, bringing a power bat -- he has averaged 33 home runs per 162 games played in his career -- to a lineup that needs power," Schoenfield writes. "His $10.5 million salary for 2025 (with an $11.5 option for 2026) isn't prohibitive, even for a club like Pittsburgh. If Lowe plays second, Nick Yorke would be an option for the outfield. If Lowe plays first, Yorke could be the starter at second."

Rays slugger Brandon Lowe linked to Pirates in trade buzz ahead of winter meetings

Aside from Schoenfield apparently forgetting that Nick Gonzales exists, the idea of Pittsburgh trading for Lowe isn't a bad one. The Pirates seem pretty committed to playing Gonzales at second and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop, but putting Yorke in the outfield would still make sense if they wanted to bring Lowe in to play first.

Lowe hit 21 home runs in each of the last two seasons and would be a welcome addition to a Pirates lineup that ranked near the bottom in nearly every offensive stat in 2024. Of course, health remains a concern for Lowe, who has averaged just 113 games per season over his seven-year career due to various injuries. Then again, that's probably why he isn't cost-prohibitive at 30 years old.

As far as what a potential trade between Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay could look like, the Pirates could certainly leverage their minor league pitching depth to entice a Rays team that could use some promising young arms as they embark on what appears to be a total rebuild.

Lowe played primarily at second base for the Rays last season, but if he's open to taking over at first, Pittsburgh shouldn't hesitate to pursue a trade for a lefty bat if he's available.

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