(Caption for Photo: Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe celebrates his RBI single against the Red Sox next to first base coach Tarrik Brock on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 at PNC Park. Credit for Photo: (Christopher Horner | TribLive))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates extended a qualifying offer of $23.15 million on a one-year contract to second baseman Brandon Lowe yesterday, which guarantees that the team will receive a compensatory draft pick if he opts to sign somewhere else in free agency.

The 32-year-old Lowe is a two-time MLB All-Star who the Pirates acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade on December 19th, 2025.

Lowe led the Pirates with 35 home runs, 96 RBIs, a .493 slugging percentage and an .824 OPS this season.

Lowe is the first player that the Pirates have extended a qualifying offer to since November 3rd, 2014, which was when both catcher Russell Martin and left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano declined one-year deals for $15.3 million.