Pirates land two-time All-Star Brandon Lowe in blockbuster three-team trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to strengthen their roster by acquiring two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays, according to multiple sources on Friday.

The move is part of a three-team trade involving the Rays and the Houston Astros. As part of the deal, left-hander Mason Montgomery is included from the Astros, while outfielder Jake Mangum will join the Pirates from Tampa Bay.

In return, the Astros will send two prospects to the Rays in exchange for right-hander Mike Burrows from Pittsburgh.

Lowe, 31, earned his second American League All-Star selection in 2025 after batting .256 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs.

He was also named an All-Star in 2019 and owns a career batting average of .247, with 157 home runs and 446 RBIs in 745 games across eight seasons with the Rays.

Montgomery, 25, posted a 1–3 record with a 5.67 ERA across 57 relief appearances in 2025. Mangum, 29, enjoyed a strong rookie season last year, batting .296 and stealing 27 bases.

Burrows, 26, recorded a 2–4 record with a 3.94 ERA in 23 appearances (19 starts) for the Pirates last season.

Tampa Bay will receive outfielder Jacob Melton and right-handed pitcher Anderson Brito. Melton, 25, made his major-league debut in 2025, hitting .157 with seven RBIs in 32 games. Brito, 21, spent two seasons in the Astros’ organisation and made four appearances (three starts) in the most recent Arizona Fall League.

The Pirates entered the winter seeking additional offensive firepower after finishing last in Major League Baseball in runs scored, home runs, and OPS in 2025.