The Rays are known to be listening to offers on second baseman Brandon Lowe, whose $11.5MM club option was picked up by the team at the start of the offseason. Lowe will be a free agent next winter. The Pirates have inquired about Lowe, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, and the Reds have also discussed the slugging second baseman, per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
The 31-year-old Lowe has been a consistently above-average hitter throughout his big league tenure, dating all the way back to his MLB debut in 2018. That includes 2025, when Lowe belted 31 home runs in just 134 games. The lefty-swinging slugger turned in an overall .256/.307/.477 batting line. While his 6.9% walk rate was the lowest of his career, Lowe’s 91.1 mph average exit velocity and 46.4% hard-hit rate were some of the best he’s posted in his eight major league seasons.
Over the course of those eight big league campaigns, Lowe is a .247/.326/.481 hitter with 157 home runs, 126 doubles, 12 triples, 33 steals, a 9.4% walk rate and a 27.3% strikeout rate. He’s typically graded out as a solid defensive second baseman, though he was dogged by both Defensive Runs Saved (-14) and Statcast’s Outs Above Average (-13) during the 2025 season. It bears mentioning that he missed time with ankle and oblique injuries in ’25, either of which could have impacted him defensively. Those maladies only added to a relatively lengthy injury history; Lowe has also missed time due to multiple back injuries, a bone bruise in his shin and a fractured kneecap.
Pittsburgh stands as a clean and obvious fit. The Bucs are looking for power bats to add to the lineup, and Lowe has plus power from the left side — a key distinction for Pirates targets, as PNC Park is the toughest environment in MLB for right-handed home run power. It’s a pitcher-friendly venue in general, but left-handed power isn’t suppressed nearly as much as right-handed pop.
The Pirates lack a clear option at second base. Former top-10 pick Nick Gonzales hasn’t hit in parts of three big league seasons, slashing just .257/.300/.375. Even if the Pirates want to give him another look, it could come at another position. Gonzales played a career-high 109 innings at shortstop last year and has dabbled at third base. Nick Yorke, another former first-rounder (2020) whom Pittsburgh acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for Quinn Priester, has struggled in a small sample of 33 MLB games. Former top prospect Termarr Johnson had a nice season in Double-A last year but is just 21 years old and has yet to play at the Triple-A level. Lowe could serve as a bridge for Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick back in 2022.
It’s been an uncharacteristically aggressive offseason for the Pirates, even if their efforts in free agency have yet to bear fruit. They were reportedly willing to offer Josh Naylor around $80MM and put forth a franchise-record $120-125MM offer to Kyle Schwarber before he agreed to return to the Phillies on a five-year, $150MM deal. Adding Lowe in a trade with Tampa Bay wouldn’t be as big a splash but could provide some of the thump the Bucs are known to seek as they look to provide support for their terrific young rotation. Given that the Bucs were willing to go those reported lengths on Naylor and especially Schwarber, Lowe’s $11.5MM salary shouldn’t be any kind of deterrent.
For the Reds, Lowe isn’t quite as clean a fit — at least not at second base. Cincinnati hopes that former first-round pick and fifth-place Rookie of the Year finisher Matt McLain can bounce back after a brutal 2025 showing. McLain hit .290/.357/.507 with 16 homers and 14 steals in only 89 games as a rookie in 2023 before missing the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery. He returned in 2025 but mustered only a .220/.300/.343 line in 147 games.
Even with McLain likely taking some of the time at second base, there could be room for Lowe. First and foremost, McLain has a full slate of minor league options remaining. Cincinnati could try to get him back on track in Triple-A Louisville if he struggles next spring. Lowe also has experience in left field and at first base. Plus, either player could slot in for occasional DH work. McLain is a talented defender, but some relative “downtime” at DH could conceivably keep him healthier. He made only three DH appearances this past season.
One outside-the-box possibility for the Rays and their longtime second baseman could hinge on Tampa Bay’s interest in Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte. The Rays have inquired with the Snakes about Marte, according to The Athletic, and one scenario they’ve considered could send Brandon Lowe to Arizona as part of that return. Tampa Bay would surely need to add immediate rotation help and likely some prospect value as well in order to even get the D-backs to consider the possibility.
The Diamondbacks have repeatedly downplayed the swirling spate of trade rumblings surrounding Marte, who is signed for another six years and $102.5MM. General manager Mike Hazen has publicly called a trade “unlikely” but acknowledged that he never outright dismisses interest in any player. He’ll always hear teams out as a matter of diligence. Hazen has also contended that teams have inquired on Marte repeatedly over the past several offseasons, but that attention simply hasn’t generated as much public chatter as it has this time around. Still, the Rays make for an interesting entrant into the bidding, if only because their perennial payroll concerns make them an unexpected landing spot for a player with more than $100MM still remaining on his contract.
There are plenty of interconnected pieces at play with regard to the Rays, Pirates, Reds and D-backs in all these trade scenarios. The Reds, Rosenthal and Sammon note, also have interest in Marte. As with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, they have plenty of affordable young pitching to dangle in trade talks. The Diamondbacks are loath to part with Marte, but the Reds, Pirates and Rays have deeper stocks of pitching to try to persuade Arizona than many of their rivals throughout the league.
Okay Pittsburgh!
Lowe would be a very solid pickup. I always get weary about Pittsburgh trading with Tampa though. They get fleeced every time.
Chris Archer flies forever
To be fair, the team/fanbase was forcing Neil Huntington to invest in the team and everyone else thought Chris Archer was a stellar pickup on a very team-friendly contract…
Archer trade was bad at the time for Pittsburgh, but Meadows and Glasnow didn’t do much for Tampa after 2019 besides being injured. Meadows was released and is now out of the league, and Glasnow was traded to the Dodgers for Pepiot and DeLuca, who might have promise.
As for Shane Baz, he’s still a work in progress, but could bring in a prospect or two if traded.
Dude, that’s a lot of revisionist history there. Archer beget Meadows, Glasnow and Baz. Meadows beget Paredes and a draft pick (I forget who the Rays drafted). Rays eventually squandered Paredes’ overall value but still have Bigge and T.Johnson in their system from the Paredes trade, and I’m particularly high on T.Johnson. Glasnow beget Pepiot and Deluca. And of course Baz remains a Ray and could be on the verge of a breakout year, now that he is 2 years removed from a horrific TJ injury that cost him 2 full calendar years. So years after the Archer trade, the Rays still have Baz and Pepiot (ie: 2 of their 5 SP), Deluca (probably their 4th outfielder in 2026 because he can’t stay healthy), Bigge (young flamethrowing reliever), T.Johnson (best starting pitcher in the Rays system by production last year, entering AAA in 2026) and whoever they drafted with the draft pick from the Meadows trade. Plus, they got several years of production from Glas and Meadows before trading them. Still a helluva trade from the Rays viewpoint.
I appreciate you filling the gaps! Trade trees are fascinating.
Happy to oblige. Rays live and die by the trade tree.
So it shall be written…..so it shall be done.
Many posters on here at the time said that it was the worst trade ever.
Huntington did give up a lot but the Pirates were looking for a solid #2 starter which Archer was but unfortunately only was several years back and thus was overrated by the Pirates.
Glasgow was given three chances but was inadequately coached and Meadows was good but the Pirates actually had a good outfield when he was ready to come up.
Huntington said that the player to be named later would be tough to give up but Baz has had injury problems and has never quite blossomed.
Archer too had injury problems so the Pirates basically got fleeced but as I pointed out at the time those who thought that it was the worst trade ever had never heard of Babe Ruth and Frank Robinson.
Pirates got over on Tampa the previous yr with the Corey Dickerson for d Hudson trade
It’s still awful considering all three were top 100 prospects at the time
That’s true. I wouldn’t say it’s Nolan Ryan, Bartolo Colon, or Heathcliff Slocumb levels of a bad trade, but it’s easily up there.
Lowe will injure his back after an 0-22 cold snap to start the season. Classic Lowe that the Rays have been used to over the past few years. As a Rays fan, I kind of hope somebody gobbles him (and more so Taylor Walls) up.
Lowe would only make sense for the Reds if they’re swapping him for Gavin Lux, or otherwise have some other trade partner lined up for Lux.
Not sure either of those guys are a defensive upgrade over Lux, whose defense is suspect at second or left.
This makes no sense as usual. They love to go after infielders when a slugging outfielder is an obvious need that even Stevie Wonder can see.
Lux was bad last year. They could easily just move on from him and let him go.
The Reds tendered an arbitration offer to Lux. I think that means they’re now on the hook for at least some of his salary.
That is true but they can trade him or still let him go.
I think the Cardinals and Reds line up for a trade really well even if they are both in the same division. Lux could be useful to keep Wetherholt down for a bit and gain the Cardinals an extra year of team control.
I kinda wish they had released him already
It’s wild how much Lux has regressed in a fairly short time.
They need two legitimate bats, so there should be room to bring in Lowe and Polanco. Lowe plays 2B and Polanco plays DH. Those guys would totally change the complexion of the lineup, even as relatively modest additions. They just need to hit enough for the rotation to be able to carry the team.
It’s so weird seeing the pirates in headlines these days
Jolly Roger that!
Aye, matey.
Go get him, Pirates! Start being a real MLB team!
I like the idea of having Lowe in the black and gold but don’t want to give up much for a pure rental. Un less they know they have a real chance at the playoffs, pass.
There is also the deadline flip option if lowe continues to do well and the team is bad. Will still come up negative in a trade today but at least it’s an effort.
Pirates seem to be active but also are offering slightly below (unbelievable) contracts for FreeAgents like Naylor, Schwarber. Their offers are nothing to criticize but still slightly below what the players are getting. After recent years, Pittsburgh needs to offer higher than projections. They must overcome the ‘who wants to go to Pittsburgh’ narrative.IMO
Skenes is reportedly going to approach free agents about signing here. If nothing else, I guess it lends credence to his comments about wanting to win here. But you’re right, money talks. This can’t be a situation where they’re throwing low offers at agents and then telling fans that, “Hey, we tried”. Uh no, not really.
I agree that bringing in a couple guys like Lowe and Polanco change the dynamic here and it’s a better line up. But they’d still be missing that big banger unless Cruz magically grows up in this off season and is working on his game.
But hey, I’d take it
Cruz magically growing up? He behaves like a child because they ( management) treat him like one
Right ! Want to show us all you are serious, go pursue free agents who will sign in Pittsburgh then overpay them to sign early in offseason. Polanco could be one but his last contract, he underproduced through most of it
Some of these guys tend to outperform only in the last year of their contract,
Schwarber offer was actually more $ PER YEAR ! 4 years at 125mil. 31 mil/year
I heard 4/$100, then it turned into 4/$120. Now it’s 4/$125m?
Lowe would be a good fit for Cincy in regards to his versatility as he can play 1B, 2B and LF. If he performs near last years pace he would be among team leaders in most offensive categories. Singer would be the most likely matchup as they are both free agents in 27. Singer’s war is higher at 3.1 vs. 1.9 so maybe the Rays throw in a prospect.
They def won’t want singer. They’ll have their eye set on any number of current low value high ceiling reds like Williamson, Aguilar, petty or the other pitcher who was a top prospect before falling off a cliff. Tampa is savvy and will probably get a pair of those guys from reds
Pittsburgh is more likely thou. It’s a sellers market if you have a bat to trade and Pittsburgh is desperate. They are likely to pay even more than two young pitchers with a boat load of control
If Pitt is going to deal from P depth to boost offense now or high potential near ready, aim higher and not a rental. AZ keeps seeking arms for example if that helps get Marte. Maybe NYM for Benge, A’s need pitching as opposite issue to improve, etc
Marte has a no-trade list and Pittsburgh is on that list :’)
Too bad on Marte. Ability to creatively trade win now P for win now hitters is less common, but those clubs who don’t want to guarantee SPs big bucks now can work it out with them. Give to get.
It would be just like Krall to pick up another infielder. Why do we need a second baseman? Have they given up on McClain? moving De La Cruz to outfield put Mcclain at ss? Krall get an outfielder that’s what the team needs.
I doubt he’d be playing 2B. He’s a terrible defender. Probably 1B, OF or DH.
dude…chill! Lowe would be the left fielder.
Lol! “Left Field” is in the “OF” as I said.
Here’s a link to ‘baseball for beginners’ to help you out. It will explain things like left field is in the outfield.
pbs.org/kenburns/baseball/baseball-for-beginners
considering i was referring to die hard..
maybe read up on narcissism 101!
First time here? You could use clues that tell the other people who youre talking to. Such as name or quotes. Especially useful in long threads, unless you like hearing several people respond thinking youre talking to them.
sorry! I overestimated the intelligence of some of the commenter’s. thats my bad
He can play left field and they need a left handed power hitter more than they don’t need another infielder.
How can this be? This is outrageous!!!
What is going to happen to the Sweet ‘N Lowe Cookie Store in Tampa?!??!!? Think of the Children …. Think of the Children!!!
Where can I order some cookies online? I’m sort’ve a cookie connoisseur…Lowe taking his cookie operation to whatever team he might eventually be traded too would kind of sweeten the deal…
A chocolate bargaining chip!
I have no idea to be honest.
I only know about it, because when i got the Rays’ feed playing the Orioles… the Tampa announcers mentioned it a few years ago
Anyway, I cannot find the physical address, maybe it’s an online business… apparently they have a location in Tennessee as well!
There’s one in Lowesiana, just about a mile from Texarkana.
Lefty – Brandon and his wife live in Nashville. I would assume the store is located there.
Lowe would definitely be a solid pickup for the Pirates!
1 or 2 more hitters in addition to Lowe and we’re talking
Read Joe Starkey’s column in today’s PG.
It should speak for all fans. Believe they’ll spend and make trades for impact players when you see it
My “Realistic” Ideal
DH: Polanco
C: Bart
1B: Horwitz
2B: Lowe
SS: Gonzalez/Brannigan?
3B: Song
LF: Reynolds
CF: Cruz
RF: Garcia
I’d like to see them get Sung Mun Song to play 3B so Triolo can be a super utility guy, and then Lowe and Polanco add ML-proven offense to the middle of the order. SS is a hole, but they just need a quality glove until Griffin is ready in a year or so, if not sooner.
I would rather include Gonzalez in a trade. He’s never lived up to his potential and is too much of a first pitch swinger
What do you think they should do at SS?
They could put Gonzalez there as a fill in until Griffin is ready.
Triolo could play there if they get a third baseman.
If they get a second baseman or if Termar suddenly progresses Gonzalez can become the utility man after Griffin comes up.
I would not overpay for Lowe.Trade nobody playing higher than AA.
From everything I’ve read, they’re going to give Griffin a chance to make the majors during spring training next season
Cherington’s comments this week sounds like that will only be on the table if they don’t acquire a SS during the offseason. A stop-gap option makes sense for them to give him a little more time. Ha-Seong Kim could be ideal on like a 2 or 3 year deal where he moves to 2B or 3B later on.
they could probably get him for a song!
They need the South Korean left-side of the infield with Song at 3B and Kim at SS
Two time Cy Young Award winner, Johan Santana, was probably the best rule 5 pickup.
I didn’t know that, interesting!
Roberto Clemente
What a c#cktease of a Winter Meetings this has been …
Love to see both teams actually trying.instead of taking the off-season off.
Sal Stewart is the reds starting 2nd baseman next season. He’s already earned that spot. So that leaves left field or first base for Lowe and he will cost a fortune in this market. Probably Petty+. I still say the reds go for it. They’ll easily find a spot for him in the lineup daily
And McLain better be taking outfield reps if he wants regular playing time next season.
Can Sal handle second? I kinda figured he’d be at first/dh
Stewart is 1B/DH. McLain far superior defensively at 2B.
He came up as a 3rd basemen and now he’s blocked. Also McLain can no longer be viewed as a starter until he establishes himself again. So with him playing there some last year. And producing, just assumed that would be his spot as his spot in the lineup seems all but a lock
I would gladly depart with petty for 30 home run power from the left side next year. Actually Lowe or steer either can play left field in this scenario and the other the other stay at first and Stewart DH.
If the cost were only petty that would be fine, maybe the rays could solve his big league struggles…
I was thinking petty and lux. Teams mentioned here and the needs they all have Tampa needs a catcher and we now have 3 and none can be optioned to start the season in triple A. Thoughts for a 3 team trade:
Rays get Lux, Singer and Stephenson
Reds get Yandy Diaz, Ketel Marte, Nick Fortes (rays catcher that does have options) and any left handed mlb relief pitcher the rays have.
Snakes get Lowe, Petty (if they are looking for MLB ready pitcher) and CES (they need a first baseman)
Net effect of WAR and salary for the rays and what the reds give up with Lowe and Diaz are about the same as with Stephenson, Lux and singer for the reds. Diamondbacks giving up more WAR but also more long term commitment on salary and getting the more controllable players they are looking for.
This is a complete nonstarter for everyone but the Reds. Marte has huge trade value, probably more than everyone else listed in this trade combined (though I don’t know who CES is, there is no one with those initials on the Reds who has much trade value). Of the players you have going to the Rays, only Singer has any trade value and he isn’t worth Diaz, Lowe and Fortes alone..
I figured out CES (brain fart) and he doesn’t have enough trade value to get Marte coming off 2 negative fWAR years.
Never in my life would I think that Pirates propaganda would flood the streets
Giants should trade Fitzgerald or Schmitt along with Kilen as a project for the Devil Rays and take on all the money of Lowe’s contract. Make it happen Posey!
Take on all the money? Lowe is only owed $11.5MM in the final year of his deal. You make it sound like an expensive, underwater contract.
@mp2891 How much money are you willing to contribute to the deal? Rays are a cost conscious organization taking on all the money would wet their lips just a little don’t ya think?
I’m still not following. Lowe doesn’t have an underwater deal. He’s owed $11.5MM and based on his production he would be worth around $15-17.5MM on the open market. The Rays can trade him for a prospect or two outright without contributing cash based on the surplus value in his contract.. The only reason to contribute cash is to get a better prospect package. I’m not saying that’s impossible, but it would surprise me. Put another way, the Rays won’t have any trouble trading Lowe without contributing cash.
I never said anything about an underwater deal, are you inferring the Giants would have to give up a couple prospects, take on the whole contract and pay an additional $4.5-$6MM to get Lowe? I am rooting for Posey and the G-Men to get one over on the Rays!
You said the Rays would need to contribute money, which implies an underwater deal. I’m saying that if the Giants want Lowe, it’s a straight trade of players/prospects from the Giants for Lowe (and that means the Giants assume Lowe’s contract as is).
No, I said the Giants should trade Schmitt, Kilen and take on all of the money for Lowe’s contract. Rays don’t contribute anything, Giants take on all the financial responsibility for the remaining year of Lowe’s 2026 contract.
Ahhh, you’re right. I laughed at your statement about taking on all the money because Lowe isn’t really owed much. Ok. Good chat.
SF Sweet Lou,
The Rays are an extremely practical and efficient organization. They would trade Lowe now because they know they won’t re-sign him next year, but would want value in return. This would not be a salary dump as you are alluding to. His 11.5 million salary is very manageable– even for the Rays.
Either way, it would be a good deal for the Black & Orange!
I’m not alluding to a salary dump, I never said salary dump, you said salary dump. I simply said Giants should trade Schmitt, Kilen and take on all of the money for Lowe’s contract, and that would be a good deal for Posey & Co.
Can’t wait to hear about a few more Pirates offers:
Bellinger – 4 years, 90 million
Valdez – 4 years, 80 million
Maybe really go crazy and offer Kyle Tucker $250 million!
Or they can tell everyone they’re thinking about it, other teams do. At least they put the money up.
Show some balls cherrington and get this done…FOR THE RIGHT PRICE!!!
This is a realistic player the Pirates need to aquire. Shouldn’t take too much to aquire due to the expiring contract, and lack of leverage. It’s a modest pay for overall an above average player.
Still would need another consistent bat or 2, plus another arm to fill out the bullpen.
Yep. I guarantee he can be had for no top prospects. Rays do it all the time.
Even toss in Bart or Flores?? If they can get something else back. Rays needed a catcher for a decade.
The idea of Lowe hitting in Cincy is intriguing, but who would he displace? I can’t imagine they’ve given up on McClain, and Sal Stewart looks like a really promising player.
Could Lowe handle first (despite not being very tall), and maybe Steer moves to left field?
Lowe could easily man LF
Lowe has played a little 1B/DH for the Rays over the past 2 years.
He would displace Austin hays in the lineup. We don’t have a left fielder but it might be steer going to left and either Lowe or Stewart at first and the other DH.
Isn’t Hays a free agent?
Another Infielder seems like the last thing the Reds need. I’ve said Lowe to the Pirates before. They need the offense and even Nutting has to realize that $11.5 million isn’t that expensive, even for him
Breaking news: Pirates “interested” in every MLB player.
I thought all these rumors would be fun but when nothing ever actually happens it’s BS
Pirates need to get this trade done now!!!
Reds want him, as do other teams, and they can very easily get him and take on his salary. Defense is weak but his power is real. When the Rays want to move a guy, they move him. They’ll fall in love with some fringe prospects and a starter/reliever they can turn into a stud. Get it done!!
“Pittsburgh stands as a clean and obvious fit”
Absolutely not. Why would a rebuilding team trade assets for a player that is a free agent at year’s end? Schwarber/Naylor made sense if you’re signing them to a multi year deal; trading for one year of Lowe does not.
Small market, rebuilding teams do NOT make moves like this.
Pittsburgh had the 29th worst offense in baseball last year by wRC+, and B.Lowe would improve the offense at 1B, 2B and DH for the Pirates. He’s the perfect trade chip because he’s relatively cheap in salary and trade cost, he can play multiple positions of need for the Pirates, and he won’t block any prospects because of his positional flexibility. The Pirates need to improve however they can, and signing players on 1 year deals is a good way to start a winning culture without blocking top prospects.
If they honestly view themselves as a “building” team, and think that they could extend him than I don’t see an issue giving up from surplus for stability.
I’m not sure what his market value will be next off-season, but it surely won’t be too much more, maybe 15M.
Given what the team would be trotting out at 2B (Termarr won’t be it), Lowe would be a tremendous add if they don’t have to give up too much for him. If Johnson somehow sets the world on fire and is knocking at the door by mid-summer, you can move Lowe for more top-tier depth at the deadline, even if you’re modestly contending (and such a trade wouldn’t sink the ship). Worst case is that he’s hurt, we suck again, and he can’t be moved at the deadline. Then you bring up a prospect (Termarr, Griffin) to play out the string. Pretty low-risk, high-reward move if the prospect cost isn’t too high (guys in A, AA toward the bottom of the top 30).
I hope one day a team signs or trades for all 3 Lowes currently in MLB right now. Nathaniel, Josh and Brandon. Even though only 2 are bothers and Brandon is a Lau not Low with an e at the end.
Rays had all 3 at one time, some in the minors and some in the majors.
I wanna see all 3 in one lineup hitting back to back to back.
That was my dream once upon a time
Or how about all 3 Marte’s, starling, ketel and noelvi
The rays seem interested in Gavin lux and they are in need of a catcher. Reds now have 3 catchers without options meaning they would start the season with 3 on the 26 man roster. Wonder if Lux, Stephenson and say Petty could get both Lowe and Diaz?
God I hope you’re wrong. That trade makes no sense to me for the Rays. The Rays are trading Lowe because (1) they are about $10MM over their self-imposed payroll limit, and (2) Lowe is in the last year of his deal and they like to recoup value via trade before a player becomes a free agent. Acquiring Lux and Stephenson adds about the same amount of payroll as Lowe costs, adds 2 players who are unlikely to improve the Rays (and in Lux’s case is a big drop-off from Lowe), and all 3 players are entering their last year of control.
At least the Pirates could offer one of their catchers (probably Bart), who has two years of arb after this one (projected $2.7M for 2026). If the Rays get the 2024 version of Bart, it would help mitigate the loss of Lowe. Last year’s version was a little meh. I feel like Bart is probably somewhere between the two, a guy who’s going to give you around .725 OPS with about league-average contact. It’s sad, but these days that passes for “good hitting” catcher.
Should the Rays be interested in trying to buy low on Henry Davis or Endy Rodriguez, I’m not saying a deal couldn’t get done, but it would be more difficult to make the value work (at least the perceived value, given the years of control and the overall potential of either).
I coveted Diaz a few years back when the Rays sold us a lemon in Choi, now I’m a little concerned about how much tread is left on the tires, especially if the Pirates need to put him at 1B. Adding his name to a package changes the math for what the Pirates have to send back. I’d love for them to ship Thomas Harrington out as part of that kind of trade, but I have feeling the Rays would want Burrows or Ashcraft (which is at least a soft “no” to me). If Lux and Stephenson is the best offer the Reds can muster, the Pirates can definitely do better.
All the talk & BS the winter meetings sucked !! If the Bucs don’t do anything I’m done with them
Low payroll teams are being encouraged to sign players and increase the salary floor. It helps owners in the bargaining position for a salary cap.
I would think it went the other way (Ie: encourage teams to spend little this offseason so the owners can entice the players with the carrot of a salary floor much higher than a lot of 2026 team spending).
This wouldn’t be a bad deal for the Pirates if the price is right — a lottery ticket or two, and maybe someone from the bottom end of the Top 30. If we could somehow convince Tampa to take Cook or Yorke off our hands, that would be ideal, I’m sick of hearing about how their marginal talent could help the ML roster, It’s time to clear space for players who have a chance to be great, not guys whose ceiling is 1.2 WAR..