Breaking Down the Brandon Lowe Trade
p/c: Kim Klement
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their biggest move of the offseason to this point. According to both Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Pirates are acquiring second baseman Brandon Lowe, pitcher Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Magnum, as part of a three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. Mike Burrows is being sent from Pittsburgh to Houston, while Tampa Bay is getting outfielder Jacob Melton and pitcher Anderson Brito from the Astros.
Lowe was a two-time All-Star with the Rays. In 2025, he hit 31 home runs and was a three-win player offensively (3.3 oWAR). Earlier in the offseason, Tampa Bay exercised Lowe’s club option for 2026 worth $11.5 million.
Montgomery made 57 appearances this past season in the Rays’ bullpen. The 25-year-old southpaw had a 5.67 ERA. However, the FIP played up better at 3.92, and he recorded 63 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched (12.3 K/9). Montgomery is a flamethrower; registering 98.7 mph on the fastball, along with a decent slider that averages 89.7.
Magnum was a rookie with the Rays this year. He hit .296 and stole 27 bases, but only posted a .698 OPS in 428 plate appearances.
Burrows was a former 11th round draft selection of the Pirates in 2018. As a rookie, Burrows pitched well, as he put up an ERA of 3.94 in 96 innings of work.
Assessment of the deal: The Pirates instantly make their lineup better with the addition of Lowe, who is a 30-homer second baseman. They also get a hard-throwing, lefty bullpen arm in Montgomery that can run it up to 100, and a speedy/solid defensive outfielder in Magnum.
Although the Astros are receiving a steady pitcher that throws a good fastball and a plus changeup in Burrows, with years of control, it’s surprising that he’s the only player Houston is getting. To make things more interesting, the Rays are taking away from the Astros by acquiring Melton and Brito.
On paper, it’s a stellar move for Pittsburgh, and objectively the best trade Ben Cherington has made as Pirates general manager.