A-Lowe-ha Nathaniel the Nat

[nobleisthyname]

Passan is reporting the Nats are finalizing a trade for Nathaniel Lowe.

[zimm_da_kid]

Passan is reporting the Nats are finalizing a trade for Nathaniel Lowe.

1 for a deal with the rangers getting Robert garcia

[nobleisthyname]

Losing Robert Garcia sucks but I don't know if the Nats were ever going to be able to unlock his full ability. Lowe meanwhile immediately becomes arguably the best hitter on the team. Though that speaks more to how bad this offense is more than how good Lowe is.

Edit: Also Lowe is not a FA until 2027 so not just a rental.

[Natsinpwc]

His stats seem pretty good and consistent.  As said two more years of control. Spotrac has him at $10.7 million for 2025.  Seems better to me that some of the old geezers.  Maybe he will like the concerts and will want to stay in DC.

[nobleisthyname]

If it's really just Garcia going to Texas then I think this is another Rizzo trade masterclass.

[zimm_da_kid]

I like the move but it’s not without his flaws. Garcia is a mid 90s lefty with 5 years of control left and had a 2.33 FIP last year. Lowe is a 1B with only one season above 18 homers, but he strikes out like a power hitter

[nobleisthyname]

I like the move but it’s not without his flaws. Garcia is a mid 90s lefty with 5 years of control left and had a 2.33 FIP last year. Lowe is a 1B with only one season above 18 homers, but he strikes out like a power hitter

I liked Garcia so I agree losing him hurts but as I said earlier I have doubts the Nats would have ever unlocked his full potential suggested by his underlying metrics.

As for Lowe the power is definitely questionable for a team that desperately needs it, but his K% is right in line with league average and his BB% is significantly above it. Also seems to be a plus glove at first going by OAA

[Slateman]

Passan is reporting the Nats are finalizing a trade for Nathaniel Lowe.

1 for a deal with the rangers getting Robert garcia

If it's really just Garcia going to Texas then I think this is another Rizzo trade masterclass.

https://x.com/underdog__mlb/status/1870964452415398067?s=46&t=oKdLKL4rK_7IQVDw9XllDQ

Underdog MLB (@Underdog__MLB) on X
Trade summary:

Nationals get - Nathaniel Lowe
Rangers get - Robert Garcia

Meh, not really a power hitter

[nobleisthyname]

Basically replaces Winker's production from last season but can actually take the field.

[Slateman]

Basically replaces Winker's production from last season but can actually take the field.

He plays a meh first base. This is basically Winker at first base or DH

[nobleisthyname]

He plays a meh first base. This is basically Winker at first base or DH

I have never seen him play but OAA thinks he was a plus first baseman these past two seasons.

[Slateman]

I have never seen him play but OAA thinks he was a plus first baseman these past two seasons.

Okay. Still doesn't hit for power, which is what we need.

[nobleisthyname]

Okay. Still doesn't hit for power, which is what we need.

Yes, I agree with that. I still think this is a good trade in a vacuum. Now Rizzo should go sign Joc.

[Natsinpwc]

Lowe was a 120 OPS+ last year and that’s also his career average. Wood and Crews in the lineup all year should also help fill the power gap.  But sure they could use a Winker or Pederson.

[Mattionals]

I like the trade. Still need another bat, and a smattering of arms for the pen. MLBTR wrote that while this is a signal that the Nats are trying to get out of the basement, this isn't a crazy spend and might give the Nats another year of seeing what they have in their rookies. I think the idea of wait and see sucks for 2025. Should have seen enough to make a push or not by now.

[varoadking]

I think the idea of wait and see sucks for 2025. Should have seen enough to make a push or not by now.

I think that's because it's not wait and see...they already do know.  It's not nearly the time to make a push unless you go all in...and they aren't going to do that.

[imref]

Former silver slugger and gold glover.  Has a reputation as a great clubhouse guy. Zimm-lite?

[HalfSmokes]

Former silver slugger and gold glover.  Has a reputation as a great clubhouse guy. Zimm-lite?

Emphasis on lite

[imref]

2.8 WAR last year.

https://www.talknats.com/2024/12/22/rizzo-goes-lowe-to-get-his-gold/

[Natsinpwc]

Maybe the Nats should trade for Tajuan Walker. They wouldn’t have to give up much and the Phillies would no doubt eat most of his salary. He won’t be worse than Corbin.

[Count Walewski]

120 OPS+ but sub-.800 OPS. Left-handed. Two years of control left. The wRC+ formula loves this kid.

A very meh move, but Alonso has also had an OPS+ of 123 in each of his last two seasons. Goldschmitt had an OPS+ of 120 two years ago and 98 last year. It's possible that this Lowe kid is actually better than the high-priced FAs so many of us crave, at least at his position.

[Lintyfresh85]

This is a good trade for the Nats

[Slateman]

Lowe was a 120 OPS+ last year and that’s also his career average. Wood and Crews in the lineup all year should also help fill the power gap.  But sure they could use a Winker or Pederson.

.401 slugging at first base ....

[imref]

Interesting that he was actually better against LHP (.796 OPS) last year than RHP (.751).  Also a lot better in the 2nd half (.811) than the first (.720)

[zimm_da_kid]

Out of our starters we have

Leftys:
Wood
Abrams
Garcia
Lowe
Tena

Righty:
Crews
Young
Chapparo/young

Switch:
Ruiz


Those top 4 lefties and crews figure to be our 1-5 hitters.  We need house or morales to earn a call up fast