After weeks of speculation, rumors, and reports about the Pittsburgh Pirates possibly making a big offseason move, the team traded for All-Star infielder Brandon Lowe.

Lowe landed in Pittsburgh as part of a three-team trade, which also included the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros.

Looking at what the Pirates gave up to acquire Lowe, and the player they got in return, let’s grade this overall transaction from Pittsburgh’s perspective.  

Pirates’ Brandon Lowe Trade Grade: A-

Overall, this is an excellent move for the Pirates. The team needed to add an impact bat into this lineup so it doesn’t repeat as the worst offense in MLB for another season, and that’s precisely what Lowe’s addition does.

Lowe is coming off a 2025 season in which he registered a .256/.307/.477 slash line. His .785 OPS and 31 home runs would have led last year’s Pittsburgh lineup by a long shot.

Yes, Lowe is entering the final year of his contract and could easily walk for nothing next winter, but the Pirates needed to do something to upgrade their lineup, and they did just that by acquiring the All-Star.

Pittsburgh adding Lowe is only half of the trade, though. The trade gets even better for the Pirates when you look at what they gave up to add a bat that’s hit 20 or more home runs over the last three seasons.

In a three-team swap, the Pirates had to give up only RHP Mike Burrows; no other prospects or hitters. Burrows was a solid pitcher for Pittsburgh the past two seasons. In 2025, the right registered a 3.94 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 23 games, including 23 starts.

That said, if there is one area where the Pirates have a strength, it’s their pitching depth. Pittsburgh still has Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Bailey Falter on the roster; Carmen Mlodzinski could become a rotation option in 2026; and Bubee Chandler will likely make his debut early next season.

There’s always a risk with trading away starting pitching, considering how valuable it is. The Pirates were also going to need to give up something of value to get a hitter of Lowe’s caliber. The front office was about to do that, though without giving away the farm system.