Brandon Lowe will be big test for how serious Pirates are about competing

There have not been many offseason additions that worked out better across Major League Baseball than the Pittsburgh Pirates' trade for second baseman Brandon Lowe. You just might not realize it because the Pirates squandered his presence by missing the playoffs yet again. 

Lowe clubbed his 34th home run of the season on Wednesday night in a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, continuing what has been one of the best offensive seasons ever for a second baseman in franchise history. 

But it's also creating a major problem for the Pirates as they are faced with the reality that his success with the team might be a one-and-done experience.

Pirates' ability and willingness to re-sign Brandon Lowe will show how serious they are

The problem for the Pirates is that the 31-year-old Lowe is a free agent after the 2026 season, and there is very little expectation for the team to re-sign him. 

Or to even make much of an effort to re-sign him.

The Pirates are notoriously one of the cheapest organizations in sports, and they are consistently among one of the lowest-spending teams in the league. Paying market value for upper-level players is not typically something they do. But losing Lowe would be an especially big gut-punch for the team (and fans) given how good he has been, how important he can still be, and how much pressure there is on the Pirates to start fielding a playoff-caliber roster. 

The Pirates made some attempts to compete this season by acquiring Lowe and signing Ryan O'Hearn in free agency, and there was a very clear mandate from ownership and the front office that the playoffs were the expectation. 

While they are going to win more games than they have over the past eight years — and have a very good chance to finish with their first winning record since 2018 — they are still going to fall short of the postseason having already been mathematically eliminated. 

But that doesn't mean it can't still be a building-block season, especially with some of the young arms they have, the presence of shortstop Konnor Griffin and a breakout season from centerfielder Oneil Cruz. 

There are pieces here. Good pieces. 

Bringing Lowe back into the mix would only add to that. 

Losing him would not only negate any small progress that has been made, but it would make the team significantly worse. 

Lowe was already named the team's MVP for the 2026 season and combined his home run power with a dramatically improved defensive performance in the field. He's been a 5.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) player this season and by far the best player on the team.

Based on that performance, a lot of the pieces they have coming back and how perfect he is for PNC Park's short right field porch as a left-handed hitter, there is no excuse for the Pirates to not be doing everything in their power to get him signed. 

In a lot of ways, it's a test to see how serious the organization actually is, no matter what the CBA situation looks like.

You've got one of the best second basemen in the league on your roster, and he has clearly established himself as a player that could be a core part of your team. You keep telling fans you want to compete and make the playoffs, and you are not likely to find a better bat (or player) to replace him at the position.

If you are serious about winning, write the check. Find a way to get it done. Offer him something that persuades him from wanting to leave.

If you don't, you're just doing more of the same and showing yourself as the second-rate franchise you've been for decades.