The Pirates badly want Brandon Lowe to return in 2027 and beyond. But they face an uphill climb to try and retain him after a terrific first season in Pittsburgh. Lowe will be one of the more sought after free agents available this offseason even after receiving a qualifying offer.
If the Pirates are unable to re-sign Lowe, they’ll need to add a bat capable of replacing some of his production. While there are a handful of options in free agency, there are also several logical players the Pirates could target via trade. One of those options in Athletics infielder Zack Gelof, who is off his best season in the big leagues.
Gelof totaled 111 games this season and finished the year with a .256/.322/.475 batting line with 16 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs, 55 RBI and 16 stolen bases. A right-handed hitter, Gelof would help with Pittsburgg’s struggles against left-handed pitching. He batted .286 with an .885 OPS against southpaws this season — a drastic improvement from his career numbers — and held his own against righties (.746 OPS).
While Gelof had a strong offensive season, a lot of his success came in his hitter-friendly home yard. The Athletics have played the last two years in Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento while they wait for their stadium in Las Vegas to open. Sutter Health Park is home to the Sacramento River Cats of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Gelof’s home/road splits this year were drastic. He slashed .290/.356/.548 at home but batted just .215/.280/384 in away games. Additionally, only seven of his 22 home runs on the year came outside of West Sacramento.
The 27-year-old spent the first three seasons of his career exclusively at second base but bounced around in 2026. He played five different positions — third base (70 games), second (19), left field (17), center (16) and right (four). His versatility is an added bonus but Gelof proved to be a capable third baseman.
While he did commit eight errors in 184 chances at the hot corner and doesn’t have a particularly strong arm, Gelof also totaled nine defensive runs saved. Nick Gonzales, who served as the Pirates’ primary third baseman this year, had minus-15 DRS this year.
The Pirates would have to determine how much production Gelof could provide them offensively. PNC Park is not a kind stadium to right-handed hitters, and Gelof would go from one of the better hitting environments to one that is much more difficult.
But there are also reasons to like the fit. He has some thump in his bat and is a fast runner. Gelof would also provide an upgrade defensively with versatility.
The Athletics would almost certainly be looking for pitching in return from the Pirates. Their 5.51 team ERA was ahead of only the Rockies (5.59).
Could a larger deal involving Mitch Keller be worked out? Perhaps, but that could be complicated. Tthe veteran starter is coming off a down year and a season-ending injury. There are also a handful of MLB-ready starting pitchers who could be enticing. That list includes Hunter Barco, Wilber Dotel, Antwone Kelly and Khristian Curtis.
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