Brandon Lowe Could Be the Trade Chip the Pirates Need - and the Rays Are Already Signaling He's Available
Every MLB offseason has its tells - subtle moves, quiet reports, or offhand rumors that speak louder than any press conference. This week, one of those breadcrumbs came courtesy of a report that the Tampa Bay Rays had interest in switch-hitting infielder Jorge Polanco before he ultimately signed with the New York Mets.
On its own, that’s a minor offseason note. But in the context of how the Rays operate, it reads more like a neon sign: Brandon Lowe is officially on the radar - and possibly on the block.
Let’s break it down.
The Rays don’t chase versatile infielders like Polanco unless they’re preparing for a subtraction. Polanco isn’t just depth - he’s the kind of player you bring in when you’re ready to pivot.
He can play second, short, and third. Tampa already has options at those spots.
So why go after him? Because they were getting ready to move someone.
And the most obvious candidate is Lowe.
Lowe's Fit in Tampa Is Starting to Fade
Lowe’s contract is reasonable, his power is legit, and his injury history is just enough of a red flag to make the Rays think about selling high before the value dips. That’s classic Tampa Bay. They don’t wait for a player’s value to crater - they move early, reload, and rarely look back.
When the Rays chased Polanco, it wasn’t about adding one more bat to the mix. It was about covering themselves in case they deal Lowe.
It’s the same playbook they used with Evan Longoria, Blake Snell, Willy Adames, and most recently, Tyler Glasnow. They don’t announce their intentions - they line up the replacement first.
That’s what makes this moment so intriguing for a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why the Pirates Should Be All Over This
The Pirates don’t need another flyer. They don’t need a “maybe” bat or a “let’s see what he turns into” prospect. They need a proven hitter who can stabilize the middle of their lineup - someone who brings real power from the left side and can handle second base without being a liability.
Brandon Lowe checks every one of those boxes.
He’s not just a fit - he’s the kind of player Pittsburgh has been missing. A left-handed bat with pop.
A veteran with postseason experience. A guy who’s driven in runs at the big-league level and doesn’t come with a nine-figure price tag.
He’s owed $11.5 million in 2026 - a number that’s manageable even for a team like the Pirates, especially if it means adding a real offensive presence to a lineup that struggled to consistently produce.
And here’s the key: the Rays only move players like Lowe when they believe they’ve already found the next version. That means the window to acquire him is open right now - but it won’t stay that way forever.
The Cost Won’t Be Backbreaking - But the Impact Could Be
This isn’t a Paul Skenes-level deal. The Pirates wouldn’t need to part with their top-tier arms or mortgage the future.
But they do have pitching depth and prospect capital - the exact kind of trade currency the Rays typically target. A deal for Lowe would be about timing and fit, not overpaying.
And from a roster-building standpoint, Lowe doesn’t block anything long-term. He’s a bridge - a productive, proven one - who can help this team take a real step forward without compromising the bigger picture.
He’d give the Pirates a legitimate threat in the middle of the order, someone opposing pitchers have to game plan around. That’s something Pittsburgh hasn’t had in a while - and it’s something no internal option has consistently provided.
The Rays Have Played This Game Before - Now It’s the Pirates’ Move
This is how Tampa Bay operates. They don’t make noise - they make moves.
And when they start sniffing around players like Polanco, it’s not random. It’s a signal.
If the Pirates are serious about turning the corner, this is the kind of opportunity they can’t afford to miss. Lowe is available.
The Rays are ready to pivot. And the Pirates have the pieces to make it happen.
The only question is whether they’ll act with the urgency this moment demands.