Brandon Lowe could become a major offseason target for John Schneider after Toronto's lineup finished 2026 short on the power it expected.

The Blue Jays are being urged to pursue Lowe in free agency after the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman delivered one of the strongest seasons of his career.

Lowe played 150 games for Pittsburgh and hit .260 with 35 home runs and 96 RBIs. That production would immediately change the shape of Toronto's lineup card.

The need is obvious after the Blue Jays went 79-83 and finished last in the American League East. Their offseason now carries pressure after a year that ended without October baseball.

Nick Ashbourne identified Lowe as an appealing target, pointing to a career-high 4.9 fWAR while also noting the risk attached to his injury history and uneven defensive track record.

For Toronto, this isn't just about adding another established hitter. Lowe could give John Schneider a proven left-handed power bat capable of occupying a middle-of-the-order spot from Opening Day.

Brandon Lowe would force a Blue Jays lineup decision

Second base would also become more interesting. Ernie Clement has handled significant work there, but adding Lowe would give Toronto a clear offensive upgrade while creating new flexibility elsewhere in the infield.

Lowe's power has been sustained across multiple seasons. He hit 31 home runs with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025 before pushing that total higher after joining Pittsburgh.

That matters for a Blue Jays team searching for more damage around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto can't enter another season asking the same group to suddenly manufacture the missing extra-base production.

Lowe also brings a long history against Toronto. His career .918 OPS versus the Blue Jays has made him a familiar problem inside the division, and his home-run totals against Toronto rank among his highest against any opponent.

There's still risk attached to the move. Lowe will be 32, and the Blue Jays would have to decide how many years they're comfortable giving a player whose value is driven heavily by his bat.

But the fit is easy to understand. Toronto needs more thunder, Lowe is coming off consecutive 30-home-run seasons, and the club has an opening to reshape an offense that fell well short in 2026.

The question for Toronto isn't whether Brandon Lowe can help. It's whether the Blue Jays are willing to make him one of their biggest bets of the winter.