Ranking Pirates’ Brandon Lowe replacement plans from most realistic to most disastrous

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made it clear that they want Brandon Lowe back in 2027. Unfortunately, wanting something and being willing to pay for it have historically been two very different things in Pittsburgh.

After hitting 35 home runs, driving in 96 runs and becoming a Gold Glove finalist in his first season with the Pirates, Lowe has positioned himself for a substantial payday in free agency. Pittsburgh extended him a $23.15 million qualifying offer, but the expectation remains that he'll decline it in pursuit of a multiyear contract.

General manager Ben Cherington reiterated at the GM Meetings that discussions with Lowe's representatives remain positive. Still, with competition emerging and a potential MLB lockout looming on December 1, the Pirates can't afford to approach this offseason without a backup plan.

And replacing Lowe isn't as simple as finding another second baseman. Pittsburgh would also be losing its most dangerous power hitter, one of its best defenders and a key contributor to its first winning season since 2018.

Some replacement strategies are far more realistic than others. Unfortunately, the ones that seem most consistent with the Pirates' organizational tendencies aren't necessarily the ones that would make the team better.

Ranking Pirates’ backup plans if Brandon Lowe leaves in free agency

1. Move Nick Gonzales back to second base and add a third baseman

Verdict: Most realistic, with legitimate upside

This is the most logical starting point for Pittsburgh. Gonzales hit .303 in 2026, establishing himself as a valuable offensive contributor. His defense at third base, however, was another story. He finished with minus-15 defensive runs saved and minus-11 outs above average.

Moving Gonzales back to second base would allow the Pirates to address two problems simultaneously: finding Lowe's positional replacement and removing Gonzales from an uncomfortable defensive assignment.

That would create an opening at third base, where Pittsburgh could pursue a player such as Alec Bohm or Eugenio Suárez. Neither would perfectly replicate Lowe's production. Bohm offers more contact-oriented offense, while Suárez provides considerably greater power potential but comes with age and consistency concerns.

The appeal is flexibility. Pittsburgh could replace Lowe's offensive production elsewhere while allowing Gonzales to settle into a more natural role.

Of course, this approach only works if Cherington actually acquires an impact bat rather than settling for another inexpensive placeholder.

2. Sign J.P. Crawford as a cheaper consolation prize

Verdict: Extremely plausible, but offensively underwhelming

Two of MLB Trade Rumors' three writers predicted that the Pirates would sign J.P. Crawford this offseason, projecting a two-year, $16 million contract.

Crawford would certainly address some of Pittsburgh's weaknesses. His plate discipline and ability to draw walks would be welcome additions to a lineup that has struggled with strikeouts and offensive consistency.

But asking Crawford to help replace Lowe would be a tall task. Crawford hit .221/.335/.352 with 14 home runs in 2026. Lowe, meanwhile, slugged .493 and launched 35 homers.

Pittsburgh also finished last in baseball in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage against left-handed pitching in 2026. Adding another left-handed bat in Crawford wouldn't directly address that problem.

Crawford could be a reasonable acquisition at the projected price, particularly if Pittsburgh moves Gonzales to second and uses Crawford at third. But if he's the Pirates' biggest offensive addition following Lowe's departure, the organization would be choosing affordability over meaningful improvement.

3. Pursue a trade for a controllable impact infielder

Verdict: Potentially the smartest move, but harder to execute

The Pirates acquired Lowe through a trade last offseason. Who says they couldn't follow a similar blueprint again?

Names such as Houston's Isaac Paredes and the Athletics' Zack Gelof have surfaced as potential trade-market options for Pittsburgh. Paredes' established power and ability to play third base could allow Gonzales to return to second while providing another legitimate offensive threat. Gelof would represent more of a rebound gamble, offering upside and additional team control without the same offensive certainty.

The challenge is the acquisition cost. Pittsburgh has spent years building its prospect pipeline, and Cherington has generally been reluctant to sacrifice significant future value. With uncertainty surrounding the next collective bargaining agreement, trading premium prospects for immediate help could become even more complicated.

Still, this strategy deserves serious consideration. Trading for an established hitter with multiple seasons of control could accomplish more than signing a cheaper veteran simply to fill a vacancy.

4. Spend big on Gleyber Torres instead

Verdict: An expensive solution that might not solve enough

Jim Bowden of The Athletic previously identified Gleyber Torres as a potential fit for Pittsburgh, and the logic is understandable. Torres is a right-handed hitter with a track record of offensive success, making him an intriguing alternative for a Pirates lineup that desperately needs improvement against left-handed pitching.

However, Torres is coming off an injury-interrupted 2026 season in which he hit just eight home runs in 96 games. His defensive profile also presents concerns, and his potential contract might not represent the significant discount Pittsburgh would presumably be seeking by moving on from Lowe.

Bowden projected a two-year, $42 million deal for Torres. That raises an uncomfortable question: If the Pirates are willing to commit more than $20 million annually to their new second baseman, why wouldn't they make a serious effort to retain the one who just delivered 35 home runs and exceptional defense?

Torres could improve Pittsburgh's lineup, particularly if he rebounds offensively. But committing substantial money to a less productive replacement while letting Lowe leave would be difficult to justify.

5. Count on Murf Gray to replace Lowe's missing power

Verdict: Tempting, but dangerously premature

Murf Gray might be the most exciting internal solution to Pittsburgh's long-term third-base problem. The prospect hit .305 with 32 home runs across three minor league levels in 2026, establishing himself as one of the organization's most promising offensive talents, and his right-handed power would address a significant organizational need

However, Gray hasn't played above Double-A. Expecting him to arrive in Pittsburgh and immediately compensate for the departure of a 35-homer major league hitter would be unfair to both Gray and the rest of the roster.

Ideally, the Pirates would acquire a veteran who could stabilize third base while allowing Gray to continue developing. If he forces his way into the lineup, that's a good problem to have. Building the entire offseason around the assumption that he'll be ready is another matter entirely.

6. Stand pat with Gonzales, Jared Triolo and internal depth

Verdict: The most disastrous outcome

This is the scenario Pirates fans should fear most. Sadly, it's also probably one of the more realistic outcomes.

Pittsburgh could theoretically move Gonzales back to second, install Triolo at third and rely on internal depth to cover the remaining infield responsibilities.

Defensively, there would be some logic to that alignment. Triolo remains a valuable defender, and Gonzales would no longer have to navigate third base. Offensively, however, the Pirates would be removing 35 home runs and 96 RBI from a lineup that already experienced significant stretches of inconsistency in 2026 — without making a corresponding addition.

Cherington has repeatedly emphasized that Pittsburgh isn't necessarily targeting specific positional upgrades, instead focusing on improving the roster as a whole. That's a reasonable philosophy, but it cannot become an excuse for inaction.

Ultimately, the Pirates' best replacement plan remains re-signing Lowe. He's already proven he can succeed in Pittsburgh, and finding equivalent production on the open market won't necessarily be cheaper. But if that isn't possible, Cherington needs to recognize that filling Lowe's position and replacing Lowe's impact are two very different responsibilities.

The Pirates can survive losing Brandon Lowe. What they can't afford is losing him and pretending that moving a few familiar names around the infield constitutes an adequate offseason response.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow