As Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings wrap up in Orlando, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds are both making waves in the trade market, with Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe emerging as a key name on their radars. The versatile second baseman, fresh off a strong 2025 campaign, could provide an offensive boost to either club as they look to bolster their lineups for the 2026 season.
The Pirates, eager to build on a promising young core, have shifted focus to the trade route after falling short in their bid for free-agent slugger Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, who delivered power and protection in the middle of the order during his time with the Phillies, opted to stay in Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million extension. Undeterred, Pittsburgh has inquired about Lowe, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
Lowe, a two-time All-Star, posted a .256 average with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs last season, showcasing the pop that has defined much of his eight-year career. Over that span, he’s maintained a .247/.326/.481 slash line, clearing 20 homers in four of the past five years. With the Rays exercising his $12 million club option for 2026—putting him in the final year of his deal—Lowe represents a cost-controlled asset that could slot right into Pittsburgh’s infield and add immediate protection behind emerging stars.
Interest in Lowe isn’t limited to the Steel City. The Reds, still stinging from the Schwarber miss, have also been connected to the Rays standout, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Cincinnati views Lowe as a more affordable option compared to pricier targets like Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte, who is locked in for six more years at $102 million, including over $40 million in deferrals. While Marte’s elite bat—.283/.376/.517 with 28 homers in 2025—tempts the Reds, landing him would likely demand a steep price in young prospects, something the club has been reluctant to pay.
For the Rays, who enter the offseason under new ownership with designs on a fresh stadium and higher payroll down the line, Lowe’s future hangs in the balance. Tampa Bay has already added a pair of veteran outfielders to steady the lineup, but parting with their star infielder this winter could signal a rebuild mindset, especially after letting reliever Pete Fairbanks walk into free agency without a return. Holding onto Lowe through the summer might better position the Rays for an AL East push, but his positional flexibility at second or first base makes him attractive to contenders.
Out west, the San Diego Padres have surfaced as another logical landing spot for Lowe, as noted by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. With needs at first and second and a budget-conscious approach despite free-agent losses, the Padres could use Lowe’s one-year affordability to fuel their 2026 contention plans. His ability to drive in runs and mash lefties aligns perfectly with San Diego’s push for lineup depth.
As the meetings wind down, these threads around Lowe highlight a heating middle-infield market. Whether Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or San Diego pulls off the deal, the Rays’ decision could reshape rosters across the league heading into spring training.