The Pittsburgh Pirates extended a qualifying offer to second baseman Brandon Lowe, who has until November 17 to make a decision on that offer. He’s been projected to garner anywhere from a $45 million contract to a $150 million contract in free-agency. Although it would be in the Pirates’ best interest to resign Lowe, they may need to be thinking about their second and third options in case they can’t strike a deal with their best power threat.
Jazz Chisolm has emerged as a possible signing for the
Pirates, and in a free-agency class full of second basemen, he is certainly the most unique. Chisolm is coming off of a difficult year with the New York Yankees where he was inconsistent and disruptive. However, it’s been made very clear that Chisholm will be looking to get out of New York, and maybe a more down to earth city like Pittsburgh is exactly what he needs. He’d fit into the young core well as a versatile defender who can play second and third, and adds another left-handed bat to the lineup.
Would Chisolm be too expensive though? Of all the players that will be mentioned he certainly has the potential to have the highest price tag, unless Pittsburgh can get him for a conservative prove-it type of contract.
Another possible option could be acquired from the cross state rival Philadelphia Phillies, as Luis Arraez is a pending free-agent. Arraez is a three-time batting champion and is as consistent as they come at the plate. It should be a priority for Pittsburgh to remain aggressive in creating a powerful lineup, especially after they completely transformed their offense for the better last winter. With Arraez you get a player who has experience at the big league level and can hit to all fields. He finished 2026 hitting .310/.345/.764 and had 64 RBIs.
One of the problems with this crop of possible replacements for Lowe is that there really isn’t anyone that can match the kind of power that he brings to the plate. As great as Arraez is, his six homers in 2026 is a major downgrade from Lowe’s 35.
Jeff McNeil could serve as more of a bridge player if the Pirates were to sign him. At 35-years-old McNeil could be signed on a short term deal, and could give the Pirates a solid option at second while they continue to develop prospect line Termarr Johnson for a more longterm solution. Despite his age, McNeil still played in 144 games for the Athletics in 2026 and put up solid numbers. He maintained an above average .264 hitting percentage and had a .985 fielding percentage at second base. Although he doesn’t offer a long term solution for the Pirates, he does give them a solid contributor and leader in the locker room if Lowe departs.
There are of course several in house options that the Pirates could turn to as well. Nick Gonzales feels like one of the obvious first choices. Gonzales played primarily at third base in 2026 following the departure of Ke’Bryan Hayes, but has made most of his appearances at second base during his stint in Pittsburgh. He could certainly slide back over to the other side of the infield, but that of course leaves another vacant spot at third. With that being said, it’d be surprising if the Pirates did not pursue another third baseman this winter.
Jared Triolo is another option that the Pirates have in house and can get an affordable deal done with. Triolo is by far one of the most versatile defenders in baseball and is certainly capable of being an everyday second baseman for Pittsburgh. However, Triolo has largely been a liability at the plate. The beauty of what Lowe provided to the Pirates in 2026 was the dynamic power he brought on offense, and that’s a rare kind of pop for the position. Triolo just cannot match that kind of production.
The Pirates should exhaust all efforts to bring back Lowe, but it’s going to be easier said than done after the incredible season he just had and the money he’s likely to command. Although there really isn’t anyone that can match that kind of power at the plate, there are several second basemen in free-agency that could be suitable replacements if Lowe doesn’t resign with Pittsburgh.
