The Pirates are acquiring two-time All-Star infielder Brandon Lowe in a three-team trade with the Rays and Astros, per source. The deal is pending medicals.
They’re also receiving left-handed pitcher MasonMontgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum in a deal that sends Mike Burrows to Houston. Tampa Bay will acquire outfielder JacobMelton and right-handed pitcher AndersonBrito from the Astros.
Lowe, 31, is an eight-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Rays. He's produced four seasons with 20-plus home runs and two with 30-plus homers, including this past season when he slashed .256/.307/.477 with a .785 OPS, 31 home runs and 83 RBIs in 134 games.
Lowe, who has a year left on his contract and is due $11.5 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027, was a 4.6 WAR player and hit a career-high 39 home runs while driving in 99 runs over 149 games in 2021. He was worth 1.9 WAR in 2025.
Despite the success Lowe has experienced when on the field, he has been hindered by injuries in the past. He missed time this year due to oblique tightness and left ankle/foot tendinitis. He's also dealt with back issues in the past.
The Pirates aren't making a deal just to get one year of Lowe's services. They've also acquired two other players who could possibly figure into the major-league plans heading into 2026.
Montgomery, 25, is another hard-throwing left-handed option that could fit into the bullpen mix right away. He relies on a fastball-slider combo to keep hitters off balance and averages around 99 mph with the fastball, which he turned to 66.2% of the time last season. Montgomery appeared in 57 games for Tampa Bay this past season, compiling a 5.67 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 46 innings. He made his MLB debut in 2024, allowing two runs and striking out 17 batters over 9 2/3 innings in nine appearances.
Mangum, 29, is a switch-hitting, controllable depth piece who made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2025, appearing in 118 games and slashing .296/.330/.368 with three home runs, 40 RBIs, 18 doubles, 37 runs scored and 27 stolen bases for a 1.6 bWAR. While playing for Class AAA Durham in 2024, he slashed .317/.357/.442 with six home runs, 56 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
Burrows, 26, was reportedly linked to discussions with the Astros this offseason and appears to be the only piece the Pirates are giving up in this deal. He figured to be a part of the Pirates' starting rotation to begin the 2025 season after going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .243 batting average against in 23 appearances (19 starts) at the big-league level. In 96 innings of work, Burrows struck out 97 batters and walked 31. His 86 2/3 innings as a starter ranked third on the roster behind PaulSkenes (187 2/3) and MitchKeller (176.1).
The Pirates still need more in terms of proven bats and now need to replace another starting pitcher after trading JohanOviedo to the Red Sox prior to the Winter Meetings. But this deal does seem to be a step in the right direction for a team desperately looking to acquire offensive upgrades.
THE ASYLUM
Source: Pirates acquire Lowe in three-team trade
The Pirates are acquiring two-time All-Star infielder Brandon Lowe in a three-team trade with the Rays and Astros, per source. The deal is pending medicals.
They’re also receiving left-handed pitcher Mason Montgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum in a deal that sends Mike Burrows to Houston. Tampa Bay will acquire outfielder Jacob Melton and right-handed pitcher Anderson Brito from the Astros.
Lowe, 31, is an eight-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Rays. He's produced four seasons with 20-plus home runs and two with 30-plus homers, including this past season when he slashed .256/.307/.477 with a .785 OPS, 31 home runs and 83 RBIs in 134 games.
Lowe, who has a year left on his contract and is due $11.5 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027, was a 4.6 WAR player and hit a career-high 39 home runs while driving in 99 runs over 149 games in 2021. He was worth 1.9 WAR in 2025.
Despite the success Lowe has experienced when on the field, he has been hindered by injuries in the past. He missed time this year due to oblique tightness and left ankle/foot tendinitis. He's also dealt with back issues in the past.
The Pirates aren't making a deal just to get one year of Lowe's services. They've also acquired two other players who could possibly figure into the major-league plans heading into 2026.
Montgomery, 25, is another hard-throwing left-handed option that could fit into the bullpen mix right away. He relies on a fastball-slider combo to keep hitters off balance and averages around 99 mph with the fastball, which he turned to 66.2% of the time last season. Montgomery appeared in 57 games for Tampa Bay this past season, compiling a 5.67 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 46 innings. He made his MLB debut in 2024, allowing two runs and striking out 17 batters over 9 2/3 innings in nine appearances.
Mangum, 29, is a switch-hitting, controllable depth piece who made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2025, appearing in 118 games and slashing .296/.330/.368 with three home runs, 40 RBIs, 18 doubles, 37 runs scored and 27 stolen bases for a 1.6 bWAR. While playing for Class AAA Durham in 2024, he slashed .317/.357/.442 with six home runs, 56 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
Burrows, 26, was reportedly linked to discussions with the Astros this offseason and appears to be the only piece the Pirates are giving up in this deal. He figured to be a part of the Pirates' starting rotation to begin the 2025 season after going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .243 batting average against in 23 appearances (19 starts) at the big-league level. In 96 innings of work, Burrows struck out 97 batters and walked 31. His 86 2/3 innings as a starter ranked third on the roster behind Paul Skenes (187 2/3) and Mitch Keller (176.1).
The Pirates still need more in terms of proven bats and now need to replace another starting pitcher after trading Johan Oviedo to the Red Sox prior to the Winter Meetings. But this deal does seem to be a step in the right direction for a team desperately looking to acquire offensive upgrades.
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