The Pittsburgh Pirates are staring down a massive decision this offseason, one that Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is calling a total “no-brainer.” After a 2026 season that had its ups and downs, their star infielder, Brandon Lowe, is hitting free agency, and the prediction is clear: Pittsburgh has to re-sign him. Seriously, after what Lowe just did, how could they not?
Lowe’s 2026 Numbers Demand a Monster Deal
Let’s talk about Brandon Lowe’s 2026 season, because it was absolutely bonkers. The guy put up a 121 OPS+, mashed 35 home runs, drove in 96 RBI, and posted an incredible 5.4 WAR. That’s not just good, that’s elite. Reuter himself said Lowe was “instrumental in the club’s offensive turnaround.” Think about that for a second: a guy comes in and completely changes your offense, then he’s set to walk? No way. This is a 32-year-old infielder who’s still in his prime, showing exactly why he’s one of the most sought-after names on the market. His .824 OPS speaks for itself. He’s an offensive force, pure and simple.
Uncharted Territory For Pittsburgh’s Wallet?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting for the Pirates. While Lowe’s performance was a huge bright spot, their 2026 season wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Paul Skenes “regressed a bit,” they missed the playoffs, and those trade deadline acquisitions didn’t exactly deliver. The trade for Lowe was a “huge boon” for them, maybe the only one that truly paid off. So, what’s the hang-up? Money, obviously. Reuter predicts it’s going to cost at least $20 million annually and a multi-year deal to keep Lowe in Pittsburgh. That kind of spending would be “uncharted territory” for the Pirates, but honestly, if there was ever a time to break the bank a bit, it’s right now. There’s mutual interest in a reunion, which is great, but that checkbook needs to come out.
This Is The Move Pittsburgh *Has* To Make
The verdict from Reuter is simple: “Re-sign.” And it makes perfect sense. Re-signing Lowe absolutely needs to be Pittsburgh’s top priority this offseason. You just don’t let a player coming off a 5.4 bWAR season, with 35 homers and an .824 OPS, walk away when he’s still 32 years old. Yes, the cost is going to be high, and it might push the Pirates’ front office and ownership out of their comfort zone, but Lowe’s 2026 season was good enough that they simply have to make it happen. This isn’t just a good idea, it’s a “no-brainer.” They’ve seen what he can do; now they need to commit to it for the next few seasons if they want any chance of turning things around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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