Pirates have 'no-brainer' offseason decision to make with Brandon Lowe

The Pittsburgh Pirates face an obvious offseason choice with second baseman Brandon Lowe. The team's offensive improvements in 2026, including Lowe's 35 home runs and 96 RBIs, resulted in an 82-80 record. Lowe's solid defense at second base was a key factor in their success. FanSided's Zachary Rotman argues that re-signing Lowe should be the Pirates' top priority, despite the cost and potential aging concerns.

With the Pirates having gone over a decade without making the playoffs since 2013 and never having won a postseason series since 1979, Lowe's presence could be crucial. He has consistently contributed with over 31 home runs in three of his nine seasons. While the Pirates typically don't commit to multi-year deals, bringing Lowe back could propel them into the postseason, especially if combined with the expected performances of Paul Skaness and Lowe himself.