Nightengale urges Pirates to prioritize re-signing Brandon Lowe

USA Today's Bob Nightengale says Pittsburgh should prioritize re-signing free-agent infielder Brandon Lowe to a long-term deal after his 35-homer season. Lowe posted 5.5 bWAR, 96 RBIs and an .824 OPS as the Pirates missed the 2026 postseason.

Pittsburgh acquired Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade last offseason. Nightengale says the Pirates' recent conservative spending could put a reunion in doubt and argues Lowe's departure would leave a major infield gap and raise questions about the offense.