When Brandon Lowe was healthy in 2020 and ’21, he was arguably the best second baseman in baseball. The Rays slugger led primary second basemen in home runs, RBI, OPS, wRC+, and FanGraphs WAR over those two seasons. Unfortunately, he has missed significant time with various injuries in each of the three years since. When he takes the field, however, Lowe is still a highly productive player. He launched 21 homers in 107 games this past season while producing a 123 wRC+ and 2.2 fWAR. His .350 xwOBA ranked in the 85th percentile of major league hitters.
Earlier this month, Tampa Bay picked up a $10.5MM team option for Lowe’s services in 2025, rather than paying him a $1MM buyout and sending him off to free agency. The Rays might be notoriously close-fisted, but still, there was little doubt they’d exercise the option. A net $9.5MM is a bargain for a player like Lowe, even if he sits out a third of the season with injuries once again. That being said, a $10.5MM salary puts Lowe in a tie with Jeffrey Springs for the highest paycheck on the club next year. To put it another way, it’s approximately 12% of the team’s estimated payroll for 2025 (per RosterResource). Thus, it’s more than fair to wonder if the Rays would rather spread that money across multiple roster spots rather than give it all to one injury-prone player. In other words, it’s fair to wonder if Lowe will be wearing a new uniform by Opening Day next March.
Tampa Bay has a long track of trading veteran players once their salaries start to increase, even when the team is still planning to contend. As the Rays enter the 2024-25 offseason coming off their worst finish since 2017, and coming off a season in which they sold big at the trade deadline, it seems even more believable that they would consider trading Lowe. Furthermore, the Rays have multiple internal options who could replace Lowe in the lineup (even if they can’t necessarily replace his production). One of Junior Caminero or José Caballero could potentially slide over to second base, while Christopher Morel could slot in for Caminero at third base or Taylor Walls could replace Caballero at shortstop. Former top prospect Curtis Mead is another infielder to keep in mind.
Then again, the fact that the Rays didn’t trade Lowe at last year’s deadline could be an indication that they’d like to hold onto him for 2025. After all, they might be cheap, but they also love a good value play. If the Rays shop Lowe around and come to the conclusion that he is severely undervalued around the league, they might prefer to hold onto him.
Back in August, Rays hitting coach Chad Mottola told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, “I don’t think the industry and even our own fans understand the impact [Lowe] makes in our lineup.” If president of baseball operations Erik Neander shares that opinion, he might be hesitant to part with his All-Star second baseman. Neander recently expressed confidence in Lowe’s bat and glove, telling Topkin, that Lowe is “most valuable” as a second baseman but that the team could continue to give him some time at first base and DH next season to have his powerful bat in the lineup as often as possible.
It’s also worth mentioning that Lowe has another team option for 2026 (valued at $11.5MM with a $500K buyout), which means Tampa Bay could keep him around for the start of next season and still have the flexibility to trade him at a later date. What’s more, the Rays have numerous other trade candidates on the roster. Lowe isn’t the only player they can flip if they’re facing pressure to cut payroll in light of the damage to Tropicana Field or the team’s current lack of a broadcast deal.
First baseman Yandy Díaz and closer Pete Fairbanks are two of the top 10 players on MLBTR’s list of the top 35 trade candidates of the offseason. Díaz (no. 5) will be making $10MM next year, and he has a $12MM team option for the following season. His contract also includes a $1MM trade assignment bonus. Fairbanks (no. 7) is set to collect $3.67MM in 2025, and he has a $7MM club option with a $1MM buyout for 2026. One more name to keep in mind is Zack Littell. He doesn’t have the same star power as Díaz or even Fairbanks, but he has proven himself to be a capable mid-rotation starter over the last year and a half. He made just $1.85MM this past season, but he is projected to earn close to a $3MM raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Another factor to consider is the market for second baseman this offseason, both in terms of free agents and trade candidates. Only two of MLBTR’s top 50 free agents are primary second basemen: Gleyber Torres (no. 20) and Hyeseong Kim (no. 26). One could easily imagine why teams would prefer Lowe over either of them, especially on such a team-friendly contract. However, things could get more complicated if any teams are seriously pursuing Alex Bregman (no. 3), Willy Adames (no. 5), or Ha-Seong Kim (no. 43) to play second base. Ha-Seong Kim was a primary second baseman as recently as 2023, while both Adames and Bregman have expressed a willingness to switch positions.
As for the trade market, second basemen who could be on the move include Luis Arraez (no. 17 on MLBTR’s top trade candidates list), Brendan Donovan (no. 20), and Nolan Gorman (no. 21). However, none of those players seem particularly likely to be dealt, and they all fill different niches than Lowe. Funnily enough, all four bat left-handed, but Lowe is the only one who offers proven, middle-of-the-order power against both left- and right-handed pitching.
So, do you think the Rays will hold onto Lowe this winter? Or will they have a new second baseman on Opening Day 2025? Have your say in the poll below!
(poll link for app users)
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Mariners be getting one of these dudes. Might be Lowe if not Kim
I wouldn’t be surprised if neither were top targets for Seattle.
General consensus puts Gleyber Torres in Seattle. I tend to agree.
Dylan Moore is a better option than Torres.
That’s probably the bar.
Dylan Moore is a better option than no one. You are a better option
Right? It’s not like Moore won a Gold Glove and put up 2.4 fWAR.
Horrible
He did that platooning at 3B and backing up everywhere else. He’s not a regular player, and when they did try him out that way a few years ago RHPs carved him up.
Dylan Moore won a gold glove at a position that isn’t a position. Yawn
Gold glove for being the second best defender on the team at 3 positions. Lol. Utility gold glove is a joke and I’m a Mariners fan
It’s multiple positions, which is harder, and anyone who really watched him should understand how solid he is in the field.
But I’m not advocating for him to start at 2B. His positional flexibility would be wasted. I’m simply pointing out that it makes no sense for Seattle to pay someone like Torres who isn’t better than a current internal option.
Torres .265 career average
Moore .201 career average
Internal option is what?
And what has each player done lately?
There’s a good reason NY is ready to move on and Seattle isn’t likely paying the 10-13m AAV price tag he’s likely asking. But believe whatever you want, I’m just explaining the argument against Torres.
Have a nice night
Just because he’s NY trash doesn’t mean he’s not Seattle treasure. We were like 8 singles away from the playoffs. In the history of the game 0% of the WS winners missed the playoffs. Seattle doesn’t need a 10. We need a 6 to replace a 2
And since you asked what have they done lately I’ll say 56 points better in batting average in 2024. I don’t think I need to say which player was higher do I?
Have a good night.
That first sentence says it all!
Then there’s fWAR, which Moor was higher, and a slight edge in wRC+
Seriously, I have a good night. I know you want the best for Seattle.
I do and it’s not Dylan Moore. I don’t know it’s Torres but I’ll take not knowing over what I do know. It’s not Dylan Moore. Seattle is no better advancing him beyond his current role which means you have to fill the roles he can’t. Torres works.
to put in on perspective, how was Ceddsne from Boston not even nominated? As great a year that Duran had in center, he played left when Ceddane was not at shortstop. Utility should simply mean multiple and most who watched last year know Ceddane was the best multi position defender in 24. Was it even close?
Other teams can make a similar argument but in Torres’ case, how many games were lost by a defensive error, lack of hustle or mental error on the bases? There is no doubt Torres can deliver with the stick but his overall game is one of the most complex to gauge. Personally, if stay away unless his price comes down. He’s one of those weird layers who can both deliver and cost you at any given moment.
“There’s no doubt he can deliver with his stick” that’s exactly what the Mariners need.
I’ll take the warts that come with that and feel ahead at that position.
Until he crushes you in a big spot with a bonehead play or an error on a ball that our respective grandmothers’ could have made.
Yes it does. Just because he’s less in NY doesn’t mean he’s not more in Seattle. Teams got needs and he fills one for Seattle that NY is looking elsewhere. That’s ok to me if it makes my team better. Don’t need a 10 need a 6 that’s better than a 2.
I’ll take the 50 points of BA above last years 2B for the situation you describe. Absolutely. It’s a net win. It ain’t sexy but it’s a net win
Mariners don’t need much. Are we competing with the dodgers hell no but put Seattle pitching in the playoffs and I like my chances. Just got to get there first. Baby steps and Torres is a step.
You seem to think I’m suggesting Dylan Moore should be the starting second baseman. I’m not. I’m just pointing out that he’s better than Torres.
You’re talking about taking a player with no defensive value out of the hitter-friendly AL East and plugging him into one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums, and his numbers last season at T-Mobile were in line with his career numbers there (not good).
Seattle needs a second baseman. If you think Seattle’s interested in Torres, you’re probably going to be disappointed, because he won’t likely be that cheap and he doesn’t check off any boxes.
He had a 104 wRC+ last season and had a SLG% of .378 despite playing many, many games in the AL East.
There absolutely is doubt about his ability to hit.
Then there’s the base running.
Beer Can….
Moore had 265 PAs vs. RHPs; 176 PAs vs. LHPs.
He wasn’t a platoon player, though he helped with platoons.
And, again, I’m not arguing for him to be a regular. He’s more valuable as a bench bat.
I’m saying Seattle needs to do better than Torres.
Cool, now do OBP.
You can single out whatever you want and argue to a wall for all I care. Moore isn’t likely going to be the opening day second baseman….and Torres won’t likely be, either.
I’ll continue to hope that Seattle gets a better option for the full-time job.
So the utility player who’s hitting less than the starting player for the World Series team is better? By your logic if Moore was on NY he would be playing ahead of Torres because he’s better as you say and he can’t crack the starting lineup of one of the worst offenses in the league. Make that make sense lol
Moore played in 135 games last season. NY likely would have used him the same way Seattle used him and he would have been more valuable for them than Torres because of that flexibility.
It’s not going to make sense because you’re not following any of this.
Your first post is Moore is a better option than Torres
Your most recent post is NY would have used him the same as Seattle which would have been behind Torres.
You’re fun.
Yeah, you don’t get it.
His flexibility is what makes him more valuable.
That’s enough.
Flexibilty while hitting .201 with a 33% k rate falls a little flat
That’s flexible crap
Your entire point is he’s an offensive liability at multiple positions. Solid.
No, that’s you proving you’re not following anything and I’ve wasted far too much time on this.
You’re going on mute, so this argument is over.
This wasn’t an argument two people need to have solid points to argue. You haven’t made one.
You’re defending a .201 hitter cause he can hit .201 in multiple positions. That’s literally his value to you. Who cares? He can’t hit!!! It’s half the game. He’s never hit. Still half the game.
Maybe the general consensus in NY puts Torres in Seattle, but not in Seattle.
BigRed doesn’t matter to me. Cashman has pretty much said he ain’t coming back to the Yankees.
Of course he is not coming back to New York but he is not coming to Seattle either I am crushed that I don’t mean anything to you.
You’ll love his defense and base running…
Free agent hitters generally avoid Seattle, which is an unlikely destination for Gleyber Torres.
The Mariners are more likely to seek an infielder via trade.
Mariners had to overpay to land a Yankees second baseman in free agency last time. I think one of those every 25 years is enough.
Fair to say the mariners got the better 5 years of the Cano deal. Hate to send Diaz out to pay Canos last 5 but Diaz is streaky as hell. On his game best in the game. Off his game hell I can do better lol
Torres isn’t some unicorn with 25 suitors he may HAVE to take Seattle.
This. The fact that the Yankees very loudly don’t intend to resign him despite not really having an obvious replacement other than the corpse of DJ LeMahieu says everything teams need to know.
Yankees suspected or knew he was juiced. That’s the unspoken reason (in my view) why they didn’t re-sign Cano
I agree in the sense that the mariners have avoided FA hitters as well. Absolutely getting more through trade but the FA avoidance is mutual lol
Nobody I know in Seattle really wants Torres, plus Jerry is allergic to free agency.
Hopefully they will play like Arozarena and Robles and not Garver, Polanco,, Haniger, Winker, etc.
He’s going to play like polanco and Wong and Frazier
I think Jerry knows at this point whenever he trades for a lefty 2nd baseman he’s going to fail and be gone the next year
Teo’s worst season he has in Seattle…leaves Seattle, rips it up. Eugenio Suarez leaves Seattle, rips it up. Smh. I predict Jorge Polanco will likewise have a comeback season next year outside Seattle, rips it up.
Rays will trade him for a couple decent pitching prospects, at least one of whom they develop into a star, and a position prospect who becomes a solid regular. I rather doubt they keep him, unless teams are all just cheap with their offers. Even then, I expect him to leave by the trade deadline assuming he’s healthy.
The pitcher they turn into a star is then unbelievably productive for 1.5 seasons then goes down with arm problems and surgeries for 1.5 years. Rinse and repeat.
Wrong side of 30 and a lot of decline since the age 26 career year.
Nolan Gorman would be an interesting target for the Phillies. Though the Phillies could just sign Kim or Adames.
I would go that route rather than Bohm (and the outfield – other than Marsh – should go without saying for everyone)
The Cardinals are not trading Gorman. I also don’t understand why the Phillies would sign Kim or Adames.
The Phillies already got bohm and turner and stott and Harper in the infield
The only area they can address (which they don’t have to) is center field
With the way the Phillies are constructed I was thinking a Bohm-Arenado deal would make sense. The Cardinals want to dump salary and it would seem the Phillies wouldn’t lose a moment’s sleep at moving on from Bohm. Throw in a few extra bodies to balance things out and everybody walks away happy.
Braves should pick him up then play him in LF
They’ll try to trade him. But thing is; who would want him with that injury history?
Mets. Mets need LH bat. Mets have future 2b men in the minors. Not sure McNeil will still be on the Mets in 2025.
I want him on the Angels. 107 or so games and 2.4 WAR? Heck yeah. Rotate him through 1B, 2B, and DH to keep him healthy.
There’s a handful of teams that could use him, but pause. Struggles staying on the field plus trying to predict what part of season he’s healthy is unknown.
Diaz and Lowe for Logan Gilbert. Which side needs to add to that deal and how much? Considering team control arb prices etc.
Rays need to add to the deal for sure. Perhaps if they added a starter that would make some sense. I think the positional fits make sense it’s just not enough for the Mariners.
The only pitcher Seattle would dhould trade is Castillo. If they could trade Castillo for even a little under value then sign Sasaki. They would have to of course reach an agreement with Castillo before they trade him. The money left over could get us a higher level 2nd BM. Or use it to sign Kim when he is posted. Losing Castillo would be worth it if we get those two.
Castillo has a no trade clause he’s the hardest of the arms to trade and brings back the least. Pitching for pitching isn’t the solution we need bats.
0% chance mariners get sasaki, he’s turning down a ton of money so that he can play on the dodgers and get money later
However Castillo is the guy to trade and we have good pitchers in the minors
I think Castillo has a market but it’s gonna require the Mariners paying some of that contract or taking on some bad money. Not that either team would do it but Arenado for Castillo I think is fair. Both guys are similar players good but a bit overpaid
I actually like that trade Pink. If Castillo would waive I’d take it. Swap a couple minor kids so the GM’s can save face swapping old ass players and it’s a deal.
Yeah I don’t mind it too much as a Cardinals fan. Castillo was good when he played for the Reds. But Arenado has a NTC and he wants to play for a team with more postseason success than the Mariners I think. But yeah I would consider that deal sure.
Mariners are an Arenado away from the playoffs. He might not have better options at his age/contract. I’ll say it all offseason Seattle doesn’t need a 10 they need a 6 to replace a 2
Arenado wants to be a Dodger. How about a 3 team deal Dodgers get Arenado Mariners get Muncy and Cardinals get Castillo. That could work.
Take it. Mariners aren’t benefitting by having 7 starters in the pipeline.
That would leave some money leftover for the Mariners to spend elsewhere perhaps for a closer.
The Mariners have the big 5 and Hancock who am I missing there?
I retract. I need more than Muncy. Seattle comes out the bhitch in that trade.
Muncy could be better than Arenado moving forward. I dont like him for the Cardinals because he’s a lefty and they don’t need that but the Mariners could use another lefty.
I value Castillo more than Muncy. If that’s the trade I’d rather move Gilbert for more.
The Mariners could get a ton for Gilbert. Boston could be a good trade partner for him. Cubs maybe. The tricky part is the Mariners would want big league contributors not prospects.
Diaz and Lowe back where we began lol
Yeah but the Rays don’t really need Gilbert. I like the 2 players from the Mariners perspective. If the Mariners were to deal Gilbert teams would be lining up. The Cubs will have guys to trade but perhaps not until mid season. Horner maybe. Cassie and Alcantara are good prospects.
I like Nico but if I’m moving Gilbert I don’t want injury concerns. Dealing from a position of strength I wanna know what I’m getting
Logan Gilbert is a great pitcher but the rays need offense more than they need another pitcher…I see them trading those guys for prospects if anything, not a guy already going through the arbitration process unfortunately..
Rays could use better starting pitching and more long term starting pitching. Gilbert is one of those things but not the other. He really doesn’t make sense for the Rays he’s 2nd year arb in 2025 he’s gonna cost a good amount over the next 3 years.
BP – Not really. They got Springs, Ras and McClanny back from elbow procedures at the end of the year, and have Baz, Pepiot and Bradley rounding into form as young arms. Their Pen should be really good too. I don’t think they need pitching at all next year, or even in the future with all the pitching they added at the deadline. What they need is offense, not better pitching.
The Rays could use an ace. They have guys but not really an ace. Gilbert would be there ace.
A healthy McClanny is an Ace. Baz and Bradley have TOR potential. Springs can pitch at an Ace level (the question is whether he can over a full year though). I’m not saying Gilbert isn’t good and wouldn’t make the Rays better, but the Rays have 6 really good arms in next year’s rotation, even after they trade Littell.
A good team who plans on contending needs 6 arms. The Mariners could use a back end guy in the deal. Assuming the Rays wouldn’t mind paying Gilbert, which is a big assumption, something like Gilbert for Lowe, Diaz and Littell could work. Perhaps all that for Kirby instead.
@BP,
Rays’ biggest problems the last 3 years have been offense. It’s really the pitching that kept them even mildly competitive. Pepiot and McLanahan are arguably aces… Pepiot moreso due to his lack of injuries and age. They have a well-rounded group. Of course they could use an Ace prospect but that would be a luxury and not a need. The Rays NEED better offense. You can’t win many games scoring only 2-3 runs/game.
I don’t see an ace on the Rays team. But yeah it does appear they need offense pretty bad. Losing Franco and then trading away Arozarena and Paredes has left them with some holes.
That’s not true. The problem is that every other year the Rays’ offense is good while the pitching suffers and vice versa. Last year the Rays had the 4th best offense in baseball but lost 4 SP to elbow injuries.
BTW – I rank Pepiot below Bradley and Baz if they all reach their potential.
LOL. That’s putting it mildly. Rays have 6-7 holes by my count.
2020 was their peak. 2021 was fine but declined drastically throughout the season and ended in an embarrassing exit in the first round to the Guardians. After that the offense never recovered and has been an issue ever since that playoff exit. I don’t think any of that was due to injuries either. They just weren’t talented enough to continue that production. Include some black holes at Catcher and DH and we have a pretty awful offense.
Fair assessment of the situation.
Diaz and Lowe won’t get Gilbert.
That’s not even a conversation starter. Lowe and Díaz are a fraction of what Gilbert is worth and Tampa doesn’t buy high on anyone.
But but but what about the Cookie Store?
Think of the Cookie Store!
if he is traded Sweet and Lowe will be no more….SMH
Lowe will be a fallback for teams who missed out on a free agent 2B but his salary is what he’s worth so the return will be minimal.
Of course, TB could just ride with him and trade him during the season when injuries and other team needs arise.
Could see SF or SEA as options.
Yeah, I don’t think this is an accurate assessment of Lowe’s worth. Rays may or may not trade him, but he’s a 2-4 fWAR player (depending on how much 2B he plays as opposed to 1B/DH) and making $10MM per year. By every value system I have seen, he has surplus value as a 2-4 fWAR player on a $10MM per year deal. He won’t return a top 100 prospect, but the Rays will get 1-3 good pieces for him.
Rays will ride with lowe and diaz to begin the year, if we’re out at the deadline then both will be gone
Nah. One or both will get traded this Winter for sure. My money is on Diaz at 67% likelihood, and Lowe at 50-50.
@mp I see Diaz getting traded this off-season. Lowe at the deadline I’d the Rays are pretty trash this season which I kind of expect them to be.
Rays should get more for position players in the Winter, but yeah, your plan is definitely possible. Diaz should be in demand with at least 5 teams, and I suspect the Rays will have no trouble moving him. They might hold out hope that Lowe has a healthy 2025 and can get more for him at the deadline. We will see.
Can he play 1st? Pittsburgh maybe.
74 comments and this one was the only one that made sense lol
Him for a couple borderline top 10 prospects. Maybe that second baseman that’s struggling to develop, temarr johnson I think is his name
I don’t know who “he” is, but if you’re talking about B.Lowe, he played a lot of 1B for the Rays in 2024.
Lowe played 11 games at 1B. He was the DH in 37 and at 2B in 58.
Lowe is extremely overated. I would not want him on my team. Hes essensialy Dan Ugla but a lot worse
This is a really bad take. For one, Uggla averaged nearly 2.5 fWAR per season over the course of his 10 year career, and 3.4 fWAR per season if you ignore the last 3 years of his career when he shouldn’t have been playing. As insults go, this isn’t a good one. Lowe has averaged less fWAR per season than Uggla (2.17 fWAR per season), but 2 of his 7 seasons have been 1/3 long seasons through no fault of his own (his rookie year (when he wasn’t called up until August) and the 60 game pandemic season) and of course he has injury issues. Still, he managed to put up 2.2 fWAR last year playing in only 60% of games (and playing hurt in probably 1/2 the others) and he has played his entire career at a 4 fWAR level on a per game played basis. Lowe can be acquired fairly cheap because of his injury issues, and the acquiring team could strike gold if Lowe manages to stay healthy for the entire year. Even if he suffers his normal minor injuries, he’s a safe bet to put up 2-3 fWAR, which is a great return for a player on a 1 year $10MM contract. Only someone with no knowledge of the game would suggest Uggla or Lowe were bad players.
@mp2891 the issue with your arguement is that you overvalue WAR. In my opinin, WAR overvalues defense by a wide margin. Their hitting is comparable, but I’d say Uggla was a better hitter than Lowe. Lowe is a black hole in most lineups. Strikes out a lot, low BA, all the makings of a non clutch player that smacks that occasional garbage time homerun when the game is already decided at that point. Hard pass for me
Lowe is a 125 OPS+ hitter and he hit for a 121 OPS+ last season. 21% above average. Last season late in close games and with RISP anytime in the game he became a monster with 162 OPS+/.902 OPS and 157 OPS+/.971 OPS. He is not a blackhole in any lineup and he is uber clutch. His problem is none of the things you mentioned. Its health.
The only blackhole I can find is the one between your ears.
@outinleftfield with 2 outs and RISP, hes batting .175 with an OPS of .667. Thats clutch? I don’t think so
LFG – I chose WAR because it is an easy metric to use to describe a player’s value. A comment section is not the place for a deep dive analysis of a player. Anyway, if you prefer players with high batting averages and low power, or guys who have no deficiencies but cost a lot more than Lowe (in salary or trade cost), then all the power to you. Lowe is a pretty sure bet to hit around 120 wRC+ and put up 2-3 fWAR next year for the bargain price of $10MM. I don’t see what’s not to like. In fact, consider this – Only Houston received at least 120 wRC+ from the 2B position in 2024 and only 16 teams received 2.0 fWAR or better from the 2B position. Lowe should have plenty of suitors if the Rays make him available.
This site should have downvotes.
Miller (& a prospect) for Littel & Lowe sounds like DiPoto move. Team’s not signing Torres unless it’s a bargoon… Wouldn’t be surprised if they bid on conforto too
B.Miller would be an excellent return for Littell and Lowe alone (without the prospect), but I don’t think the Rays will be looking to trade for a starting ML pitcher if they trade Littell. They will still have 6 good starting pitchers with ML experience, plus another 2-3 AAA arms in need of call ups next year, after they trade Littell. Still, if Seattle is willing to part with Miller for Lowe and Littell, the Rays will probably say yes. Just too good an offer to refuse.
Miller’s worth way more than that in a trade. Solid young starting pitchers making pre-arbitration salaries are extremely valuable.
I doubt the Rays trade Lowe in the off-season, mostly because they have no competent replacement at 2B. I see them trading Diaz first. Maybe if the Rays are truly bad (and I expect them to be), they be more inclined to trade Lowe at the trade deadline.
You never know. They could give 2B to Mead, Basabe, Morel, Palacios, Cabby, etc… Lot of guys with 2B experience.
@mp
I don’t think they trust Mead or Morel or Basabe to play there defensively. The key word in my statement is ‘competent’. They could plug anyone there, but if they do would that hurt the team’s overall performance? I believe it would.
They’ll have a competitive team on the field as usual. Their pitching will be much more healthy and younger guys seasoned. If they trade these guys – it will be in attempt to still put a quality product on the field this coming season. Why so pessimistic?
@whiffa
I don’t believe in the offense. At all. Yeah maybe JLowe bounces back and Aranda improves. But I don’t trust any of those guys to actually get better. They keep giving Mead’s place in the lineup to cheap vets. Catching is still a black hole.
Pitching will probably be good, but I expect the Rays to ship off one or two expensive guys to cut payroll (depending on TV deals and stadium issues). Diaz and Springs are at the top of my trade list. Maybe BLowe too.
In the end, I expect the Rays to trim payroll and get rid of some productive players more than usual due to the unknown stadium situation and lack of TV money.
I’m not sure if he’ll be traded, BUT… I hope he is. He’s a perfect fit for my Braves and although we don’t need a 2B, I believe he can play OF at a high enough lvl if I’m not mistaken, so I’d love to throw him in left and call this lineup near complete (just need to replace Arcia)….
I was in Tampa for a couple years, listened to the Rays games everyday, what the hitting coach said in the article is spot on, lineup wasn’t the same without Lowe and it was noticeable and this was a team that still rostered Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz, Isaac Parades and Wander Franco. Josh Lowe also a good player on the Rays, also misses a lot of time due to injury, but possibly excluding Franco, Id say Brandon Lowe was the lynch pin in those Rays lineups.
Brendon needs to be traded to pay for a new roof.