The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to upgrade their team with a three-team trade.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are wheeling and dealing, acquiring Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe in a trade that also involves the Houston Astros.
According to MLB insider Chandler Rome, the Pirates are acquiring Lowe, who made 121 appearances for the Rays at second base in 2025. They are also adding Rays outfielder Jake Mangum, who played 116 games for the team in his rookie season and Mason Montgomery, a relief pitcher who pitched 46 innings in 57 appearances for the Rays.
The Rays’ prospects would have gone to the Astros, who acquired Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito from Houston, but they would prefer starting pitching. That’s why starting pitcher Mike Burrows is being sent to the Astros as part of the trade.
Burrows, 26, made 19 starts for the Bucs this past season. He recorded a 3.94 earned run average, proving to be a quality starter for the Pirates. The trade is definitely hurting the rotation, but a sacrifice has to be made in order to bring an All-Star to the ‘Burgh.
Lowe, 31, is a two-time All-Star that has spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Rays. Lowe batted .256 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI’s in 2025 with the Rays. The Pirates are hoping to get some of that production in Pittsburgh in hopes of getting out of last place in the NL Central standings.
BD community, what do you think of the trade with the Astros and Rays? Chime off in the comments section below.
Category: General Sports
