Astros, Pirates, Rays Reportedly Agree to 3-Team Trade Involving Brandon Lowe, More

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly added a two-time All-Star to their infield in a three-team trade.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Pirates, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a trade that would send infielder Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh, pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston, and outfielder Jacob Melton and pitcher Anderson Brito to Tampa Bay.

Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the talks.

Burrows was solid for the Pirates last season with a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 96 innings. He appeared in 23 games, 19 of which were starts, and should be a versatile option for the Astros.

They could use him in long relief, a key part of the bullpen rotation or even part of the starting staff if needed in 2026.

But Lowe is the headliner in this potential move.

He made his major league debut with the Rays in 2018 and was an All-Star in his first full season in 2019. He then finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021, the second of which was the best season of his career when he slashed .247/.340/.523 with 39 home runs and 99 RBI.

Lowe was an All-Star again last season and slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI.

If there is an area of concern in Lowe's game, it's his glove. According to FanGraphs, he was responsible for minus-14 defensive runs saved above average at second base last season, which was the worst mark of his career.

Still, the Pirates were last in the league in home runs last season with 117. The second-lowest team was the St. Louis Cardinals with 148, so Pittsburgh will need far more power in 2026 if it is going to compete in the National League Central.

Lowe gives it just that as the offense looks to make strides and support a promising starting pitching staff that features Paul Skenes.