No, the headline is not a typo. If anything, it's a feeble attempt on my part to make a creative pun concerning the topic of my piece today, Nathaniel Lowe. In case you aren't familiar with his name, as I would imagine many Nationals fans aren't frequently tuning in to Texas Rangers' games, he is a 29-year-old first baseman who is a former Silver Slugger and Gold Glove recipient for the 2023 World Series Champion Rangers.
That already checks off a couple needs for the Washington Nationals in this offseason, in providing a solution for a major need at first base, and a steadying presence on the defensive side as well. These were two characteristics of a guy I was pounding the table for earlier this offseason in Christian Walker, who is off to the Houston Astros on a new 3-year, $60 million deal. However, the one thing that Lowe has on his side that Walker did not is his age. Given that Walker will be 34-years-old shortly after Opening Day of 2025 and that Lowe is still yet to turn 30, perhaps the Nationals would be more willing to make a move to acquire him.
There have been reports out of Arlington, Texas that the team is looking to shed some payroll this offseason as a result of some of their massive contracts that they already owe to Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Jacob DeGrom, among others, and as a result they may have to shed some controllable assets like Lowe. Considering the Rangers went out and brought in a fellow corner infielder in Jake Burger, who will make just over the league minimum this offseason, the club is likely looking to deal Lowe and his Spotrac projected $10.7 million salary in order to save some money, as he likely would not be extended either.
Like I said earlier, the Nationals have a dire need to make a significant upgrade at first base. With multiple potential targets of the Nationals being moved within the last 2 days, the Nationals might be running out of time to figure out their true upgrade. Walker was the first domino to fall with his signing to Houston, but he was not the only one. The Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt, whom the Nationals were reportedly in on as well, and the Cleveland Guardians traded Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks to fill the gap left by Walker, and also signed veteran Carlos Santana to replace Naylor.
In the past 24 hours we’ve seen Walker, Santana, Goldschmidt, and Naylor (traded) come off the market. Clearly, there’s a run on first baseman right now, and the Nationals are on the verge of missing out.
— District on Deck (@DistrictOnDeck) December 21, 2024
Wake up, @Nationals https://t.co/xClZKbE3N5
Of course, the main free agent target at the position is still on the market in Pete Alonso, and while his fit with the Nationals could not be any more perfect, he very well could be out of the price range that the Nats' ownership would be willing to dish out at this time. Plus, you'd have to figure that if the Nationals make even just a slightly higher offer than their biggest competitor for his services in the New York Mets, he likely would opt to stay put with them.
This leaves the trade market, with Lowe likely being the best fit for the Nationals in the long run out of the perceived trade options following the Naylor trade. Lowe has played in at least 140 games over the last 4 seasons, and is basically a shoe-in for 15-25 homers, 70+ RBIs, and an OPS of .775 or above, right below his career .789 figure. While his power might not pop off the charts like Alonso, Naylor, or Walker, he would provide many of the same characteristics that Walker does, but will be a lot cheaper and obviously younger as well.
It likely could get done for a couple of prospects, and the Nationals certainly have the means to be able to make a potential deal happen. If the club wants to upgrade the position for a few years, given Lowe isn't scheduled to hit free agency until 2027, this would definitely be a route that I would be content with, and one that seems very logical. At this point, if they don't sign Alonso they are going to have to go to the trade market, and truthfully unless they can pull off some sort of miracle deal for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (not going to happen), then I believe Lowe would be a better addition than any free agent not named Pete Alonso. Hopefully the Nationals agree as well, or at least make a move in the near future besides signing Michael Soroka that indicates the club is serious about making upgrades going into 2025.
Do you think the Nationals could look to trade for Nathaniel Lowe? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.