Article: Nathaniel Lowe, Recently DFA'd Former World Series Champion, Makes A Lot of Sense for the Red Sox

[Jordan Leandre]

After 119 games with the Washington Nationals, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was designated for assignment Thursday.

It's been a tough year for the former World Series champion, who spent the past four seasons with the Texas Rangers, as he's slashing .216/.292/.373 with a career-low 89 wRC+. However, every year of his Rangers career, he posted at least 2.3 wins above replacement (per Baseball Reference). Considering the struggles of switch-hitting corner infielder Abraham Toro, along with questions surrounding the underlying data with Kristian Campbell, Lowe makes a lot of sense for the Boston Red Sox.

For starters, he's an upgrade against right-handed pitchers from both Toro and Romy Gonzalez. Since the start of last season, Lowe has a 112 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, with Toro posting an 83 wR+ and Gonzalez a 62 wRC+. This year, the gap is less drastic, but Lowe still has a 104 mark versus the two current Red Sox being in the mid-80s.The power is more stable from the veteran lefty bat, as well. Every year since 2021, he's hit at least 16 home runs with 68 runs batted in -- both are his 2025 marks with six weeks remaining. Even though his average and on-base percentage are down, his isolated power is roughly his career average.

Lowe also shined with the glove in his latter two seasons with the Rangers, posting 12 outs above average across 695 chances. 

While Gonzalez has broken out with his power stroke, just two of his home runs are against righties and he's struck out 24 times to just two walks. Moreover, one of the main criticisms of this Red Sox roster is its youth. While acknowledging that's also part of the intrigue, there's a lot of value in the institutional knowledge someone with World Series experience has. Lowe wasn't dominant en route to his 2023 ring, but he did hit big home runs in the back-half of a classic seven-game series with the Houston Astros in that ALCS.

He's not foreign to the postseason, which is something not a whole lot of Red Sox position players can say at this point. In fact, Alex Bregman and Trevor Story are the only regular hitters with postseason experience (Rob Refsnyder had three plate appearances in the 2015 Wild Card Game with the Yankees).

It feels somewhat lazy to say perhaps a change of scenery could benefit Lowe, but it's not exactly a mystery the dysfunction of the organization he's leaving. Following the July series with Boston, the Nationals fired manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. This is also the same organization that has a tremendous young core of James Wood, C.J. Abrams and MacKenzie Gore and yet seem just as far from contention as they were before their debuts. The Nationals also just had a trade deadline to move off of pieces like Lowe, Josh Bell and Luis Garcia, yet only traded reliever Kyle Finnegan and outfielder Alex Call. It's a weird franchise, to say the least.

Regardless, Lowe is owed the remainder of his $10.3 million salary for 2025, and any team that claims him would be on the hook for that. It's not a steep salary, but given his production this season, does a team like his chances of turning it around enough to pay him outright? If all teams are, in a vacuum, willing to take that chance, what are the chances the Red Sox even have the chance to place a claim on him?

After all, Lowe has two former employers on the periphery of the Wild Card race, with the Rangers ranking 25th in first base wRC+ and the Tampa Bay Rays having lost All-Star Jonathan Aranda to a fractured wrist. Both squads have waiver priority over the Red Sox. That shouldn't keep Boston from trying to nab him, and if Lowe does end up in Fenway, the Red Sox's lineup could look that much deeper heading into October.

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[moonslav59]

He's hitting worse than Toro, of late: 

.499 in last 26 games/101 PAs (July 11th>>>)

.617 since April 23rd (398 PAs)

[harmony]

17 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

He's hitting worse than Toro, of late: 

.499 in last 26 games/101 PAs (July 11th>>>)

.617 since April 23rd (398 PAs)

FWIW ZiPS projects Abraham Toro with a 91 wRC+ and 0.1 WAR in 26 games the rest of the season while projecting Nathaniel Lowe with a 106 wRC+ and 0.3 WAR in 39 games.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/abraham-toro/19844/stats?position=2B/3B#dashboard

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nathaniel-lowe/19566/stats?position=1B#dashboard

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, harmony said:

FWIW ZiPS projects Abraham Toro with a 91 wRC+ and 0.1 WAR in 26 games the rest of the season while projecting Nathaniel Lowe with a 106 wRC+ and 0.3 WAR in 39 games.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/abraham-toro/19844/stats?position=2B/3B#dashboard

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nathaniel-lowe/19566/stats?position=1B#dashboard

I'm not a fan of ZIPS, but I do agree Lowe has a better outlook. I think he's only 30.

[notin]

Boston can squeeze him on the roster by DFAing Ali Sánchez, who is a good bet to clear waivers and no real loss if he doesn’t.  Lowe isnt much better vs RHP than Toro, but has shown a higher ceiling.  And if nothing else, Lowe does have a Gold Glove in his past.

They could also still keep Toro, just in case, if they DFA Sánchez.  A bench of Romy, Refsnyder and Toro  seems adequate.
 

But if I’m Lowe, I’d prefer the Yankees. (Are they interested?).  Goldschmidt is out for a bit, the ballpark is more conducive to lefty power bats, no Romy or equivalent to platoon with, and they have a better opportunity to start next season, since Casas is likely back and Goldschmidt potentially isn’t.

Of course the Yankees are probably just as likely to non-tender Lowe as Boston and instead pursue better/cheaper first sackers next year…

[TedYazPapiMookie]

Nate is great and would be an excellent addition.

[notin]

I think I’d prefer Campbell back over Lowe.

Campbell got demoted for his .664 OPS.  Does it make sense to “upgrade” to Lowe and his .665 OPS?

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, notin said:

Campbell got demoted for his .664 OPS.  Does it make sense to “upgrade” to Lowe and his .665 OPS?

Yes.

[Kimmi]

49 minutes ago, notin said:

I think I’d prefer Campbell back over Lowe.

Campbell got demoted for his .664 OPS.  Does it make sense to “upgrade” to Lowe and his .665 OPS?

I'd take a flier on Lowe because I think there's some potential for some offensive upside with him.  He'd probably also provide better defense than Campbell, though I'm not sure how Campbell's defense is coming along.  The risk is roughly $2.5M, which is really peanuts in payroll terms.  I'm not sure the FO would agree with that.

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

I'd take a flier on Lowe because I think there's some potential for some offensive upside with him.  He'd probably also provide better defense than Campbell, though I'm not sure how Campbell's defense is coming along.  The risk is roughly $2.5M, which is really peanuts in payroll terms.  I'm not sure the FO would agree with that.

I wouldn't claim him. I'd let him pass through waivers and work out a deal with WSH. Not paying the full price tag. 

[notin]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't claim him. I'd let him pass through waivers and work out a deal with WSH. Not paying the full price tag. 

So NOW you want to work out a deal with Washington for Lowe?  I suppose you’re finally ready to ship off Tolle for him.

 

I do doubt he gets claimed.  I think if he clears waivers, Washington has to release him.  I doubt they can demote him to AAA…

[Kimmi]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't claim him. I'd let him pass through waivers and work out a deal with WSH. Not paying the full price tag. 

I'm fine with that.  That's probably what the Red Sox are thinking.

[mvp 78]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

So NOW you want to work out a deal with Washington for Lowe?  I suppose you’re finally ready to ship off Tolle for him.

I do doubt he gets claimed.  I think if he clears waivers, Washington has to release him.  I doubt they can demote him to AAA…

He believe he can accept an assignment to AAA or request his release. 

I was under the assumption that MLB still had the waiver trade system, because I'm old. 

As of 2019, players may still be placed and claimed on outright waivers after the Trade Deadline, but trades aren't permitted after that date. With regards to newly acquired players, the Aug. 31 postseason roster deadline remains in effect.

[Larry Cook]

Why do we need Lowe???  

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

He believe he can accept an assignment to AAA or request his release. 

I was under the assumption that MLB still had the waiver trade system, because I'm old. 

As of 2019, players may still be placed and claimed on outright waivers after the Trade Deadline, but trades aren't permitted after that date. With regards to newly acquired players, the Aug. 31 postseason roster deadline remains in effect.

Well, you were the one who brought up making a deal with Washington, so as to avoid the full price tag.

Per B-R.com, Lowe has 4.145 years of service time, so he is below the 5.000 year mark after which he could refuse assignment.  But he still can if he has ever been outrighted to the minors before.  While I doubt he has, I’m not sure.  Although I think Washington will release him and save the pro-rated portion of minimum wage on his salary…

 

[Bellhorn04]

47 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Why do we need Lowe???  

Because Toro has become a Man of Constant Sorrow with the bat.

[Larry Cook]

33 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Because Toro has become a man of constant sorrow with the bat.

Is he really an improvement, or are we trading sideways 

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, Larry Cook said:

Is he really an improvement, or are we trading sideways 

The only real difference is Lowe has some pedigree, some history of success at this level.

Toro does not.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, Bellhorn04 said:

The only real difference is Lowe has some pedigree, some history of success at this level.

Toro does not.

This is true. I believe this would be a low(no pun intended)risk gamble. Lowe's owed around 2.5 million for the remainder of the season.

I say go for it.

[harmony]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Well, you were the one who brought up making a deal with Washington, so as to avoid the full price tag.

Per B-R.com, Lowe has 4.145 years of service time, so he is below the 5.000 year mark after which he could refuse assignment.  But he still can if he has ever been outrighted to the minors before.  While I doubt he has, I’m not sure.  Although I think Washington will release him and save the pro-rated portion of minimum wage on his salary…

 

Nathaniel Lowe can refuse an assignment to the minors after exceeding the five years of MLB service earlier this season. The Baseball Reference number was as of January 2025.

The Nats will likely place Lowe on waivers and a team that selects Lowe off waivers will be responsible for the remainder of Lowe’s 2025 salary.

If he clears waivers Lowe becomes a free agent who can sign for the prorated league minimum (with the Nationals on  the hook for the balance of his 2025 salary).

[Alex Mayes]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Because Toro has become a Man of Constant Sorrow with the bat.

Has he seen trouble all his days?

[moonslav59]

I didn't think DFA trades were allowed anymore, after the deadline.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

36 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I didn't think DFA trades were allowed anymore, after the deadline.

That is correct. If the player is put on waivers, he can be picked up by another team who simply pays his remaining salary. That's not considered a trade.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

On 8/15/2025 at 4:57 PM, Bellhorn04 said:

The only real difference is Lowe has some pedigree, some history of success at this level.

Toro does not.

Lowe has post season experience with the Rangers.  He scored 10 runs and drove in 6 runs while batting in the middle of the Ranger order in the 2023 post season.  His OPS was only good in the HOU series (he was in 4 series with Tex).  Houston is a likely opponent in October.  We have no idea how the rookies will play during the playoffs so having someone with experience is a good idea.

Who has tailed off in the second half? 

Narvaez 1st half .273  2nd Half .130

Toro 1st half .271  2nd Half .183

Gonzalez 1st half .326  2nd Half .242

Abreu 1st half .256 with 18 HRs  2nd Half ..240 with 3 HRs (HRs are his primary value as a hitter)

Rafaela hitting as a 2B .136 as an OF .277 (Cora is clueless as to the impact of moving guys so he can force Abreu into the line-up while his production is falling off as it always does in the second half)

WHO IS IMPROVING?

Duran 1st half .258 with .749 OPS  2nd half .277 with .942 OPS

Bregman 1st half .298   2nd Half .302  VERY CONSISTENT

Story 1st half .257  2nd Half .260  Consistent but trending upward

Anthony 1st half .264  2nd Half .293 TRENDING UP SIGNIFICANTLY

Yoshida only up since July so his July number was .239 and August is .296 and he faces both LH and RH pitchers!!!!!  Unlike Abreu.

So the solid part of the batting order is:

Anthony in LF, Duran in CF, Rafaela in RF, Bregman at 3B, Story at SS and Yoshida at DH.

The holes projected for the post season are at Catcher where Narvaez is in a free fall, Toro who is drastically falling off, Gonzalez who is falling off and Abreu who is falling off in average AND HRs yet continues to force Rafaela to 2nd where he can't hit.

Either Nathanial Lowe or Kristian Campbell needs to play 1B, or Campbell needs to play 2nd with Lowe at 1B and another catcher needs to be found to improve the overall hitting.  The team can make the playoffs with the great pitching but will stumble in the post season with 1/3 of the batting order failing miserably in the second half.  Narvaez, Toro, Gonzalez and Abreu aren't cutting it and Abreu is impacting Rafaela's success as well as the overall defense since Rafaela is far superior to the over-rated Abreu in RF on defense.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Boston brought in several players this year who have postseason experience and won rings: Bregman, Chapman, Buehler, and now May. 

Having another position player in the dugout who has contributed to a recent World Series title can't hurt.

[Jasonbay44]

He can’t be much worse than Abraham Toro has been for last few months. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Jasonbay44 said:

He can’t be much worse than Abraham Toro has been for last few months. 

Toro had a 16 game nice stretch. That helped us, but that guy is gone.

He was a .638 career batter before 2025. To me, that is replacement level or worse.

Since that 16 game stretch, he's been way worse than replacement level.

[Jasonbay44]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Toro had a 16 game nice stretch. That helped us, but that guy is gone.

He was a .638 career batter before 2025. To me, that is replacement level or worse.

Since that 16 game stretch, he's been way worse than replacement level.

There is a reason 4 other teams dumped him. 

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

There is a reason 4 other teams dumped him. 

Yup, and I've been saying the Sox should be #5 for over a month.

(At least demote him to AAA.)

[moonslav59]

So, claiming Lowe would cost us about $2.3M. That is not all that much.

MLBTR reports that someone claiming him seems unlikely....

Another team could claim him and assume the remaining $2.33MM of his $10.3MM salary, but that’s difficult to envision. In the likelier event that he goes unclaimed, the Nationals would remain on the hook for virtually all that money. At that point, Lowe would be free to sign anywhere. A new team would pay him the prorated $760K league minimum for the final few weeks of the season.

It appears he may be ours for the taking. If we are not going to call up Campbell before Sept 1st, why not give him a try?

Place Mayer on the 60 Day IL, and nobody needs to be DFA'd.