Brandon Lowe's left-handed power at second base makes him the ideal candidate for the Blue Jays

Brandon Lowe. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Brandon Lowe's left-handed power at second base makes him the ideal candidate for the Blue Jays

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 29, 2026 7:19 PM ET

Brandon Lowe is coming off an explosive 2026 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, racking up 35 home runs, 96 RBI and a 121 wRC+. His 35 home runs also led all of MLB at second base, making him a powerhouse at the position.

As a pending free agent, his left-handed power at second would make him an ideal candidate for the Toronto Blue Jays to pursue. Considering Toronto finished in last place in home runs (152), he would provide left-handed power, which is a rarity at the keystone.

The 32-year-old also boasted an .824 OPS, showcasing his ability to anchor the Pirates' lineup while also hitting for power and getting on base.

The Blue Jays have flexibility in the infield as Ernie Clement can shift into a utility role, and Lowe's left-handed pop would overall be deemed a major upgrade at second over Clement.

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— SleeperPirates (@SleeperPirates) October 29, 2026

Brandon Lowe's defensive growth and projected contract make him a suitable option for the Blue Jays

Lowe showed defensive growth this season with a 15 Outs Above Average (OAA), which was a massive turnaround from his -14 OAA in 2025. Lowe also has extensive AL East experience as he spent practically his entire career with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2018 to 2025.

When it comes to the two-time All-Star's projected contract, it aligns well with the fact that the Blue Jays will be freeing up a decent amount of payroll space with contracts expiring from veteran players. For example, George Springer and Max Scherzer.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts that Lowe's asking price will be a three-year, $45 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $15 million.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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