When the Toronto Blue Jays take the field against the Tampa Bay Rays next season, they’ll be missing a familiar - and frustrating - face across the diamond. Brandon Lowe, the longtime Blue Jays thorn and power-hitting infielder for Tampa Bay, is officially out of the AL East. The Rays pulled off a three-team deal that sends Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates, shaking up rosters across three clubs and potentially altering the dynamic in both leagues.
Here’s how the full trade breaks down: the Pirates receive Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum, and left-handed pitcher Mason Montgomery. Houston joins the mix by acquiring right-hander Mike Burrows from Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, the Rays land two of the Astros’ top prospects - outfielder Jacob Melton (No. 2 in Houston’s system) and right-handed pitcher Anderson Brito (No. 7).
For Toronto, there’s no sugarcoating the relief. Lowe has been a consistent problem for the Blue Jays, especially when it mattered most.
Over his eight-year career, he’s racked up a 17.8 bWAR - but it's his production specifically against Toronto that really stands out. In 73 games versus the Blue Jays, Lowe slashed .268/.354/.571 with an OPS north of .900 and launched 21 home runs - more than he’s hit against any other team.
In 2025 alone, he torched Toronto pitching, hitting .356 with a 1.116 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBIs, and 16 hits in just 11 games. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s sustained dominance.
So yes, Blue Jays fans can breathe a little easier knowing they won’t have to see Lowe in the other dugout 13 times next year.
But while this trade might feel like a win for Toronto in the short term, it’s worth remembering who we’re talking about here - the Rays. Tampa Bay has built a reputation for making moves that don’t always make sense at first glance, only to look genius in hindsight. They’ve turned trades into long-term wins more often than not, and they rarely part with talent unless they see a bigger picture.
That’s why the return package they got from Houston shouldn’t be overlooked. Jacob Melton is a high-upside outfielder with a strong blend of power and speed, while Anderson Brito brings a live arm and the potential to develop into a major league contributor. Both were top-10 prospects in a deep Astros system, and both now land in an organization that knows how to maximize young talent.
As for Pittsburgh, this is a bold, calculated swing. Brandon Lowe gives the Pirates a legitimate everyday bat with pop - a player who, when healthy, is a 25+ home run threat.
Jake Mangum adds a contact bat with speed; he hit .296 with 27 stolen bases in his first full MLB season and posted a 1.6 bWAR across 118 games. Mason Montgomery, a lefty with upside, will compete for a bullpen role in 2026 and could give the Pirates some needed depth from the left side.
In return, Pittsburgh parts with Mike Burrows - a 26-year-old right-hander who just completed his first full MLB season. He made 23 appearances (19 starts), struck out 97 in 96 innings, and posted an ERA+ of 109. That’s solid production from a young arm who still has room to grow, but the Pirates clearly felt the offensive upside of Lowe and the added depth of Mangum and Montgomery were worth the cost.
From a Blue Jays perspective, the biggest takeaway is simple: one of their most consistent tormentors is gone. But they’d be wise not to celebrate too loudly. The Rays don’t often lose trades outright, and if history is any indication, they may have just added two more names to their long list of player development success stories.
Still, for now, Toronto can look ahead to 2026 with a bit less dread - at least when it comes to Brandon Lowe.