2025 MLB Trade Deadline - Rumors, pontificafions, innuendo, zdk, and deals

[Slateman]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/nathaniel-lowe-drawing-trade-interest.html

McDonald
Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe is drawing some early trade interest. Sean McAdam of MassLive relayed on the Fenway Rundown podcast (link to full pod and to Lowe clip) that at least one club has contacted the Nats to gauge Lowe’s availability. McAdam adds that he wasn’t able to confirm which club put in the call, though he suggests it was very likely the Red Sox, on account of their obvious need at the position.

Lowe, 29, is a logical trade candidate. The Nats have been rebuilding for many years and are currently 22-27. They’re not totally buried in the standings but there are three strong clubs above them in the National League East. Lowe is slated for free agency after 2026 and is unlikely to be a big part of the next competitive window.

LET THE GAMES COMMENCE

[imref]

Yo Yo is hitting well at AA. Hmm. 

[IanRubbish]

Yo Yo is hitting well at AA. Hmm.

3+ seasons of availability at league min will keep Yo Yo in the org. As long as Finnegan doesn't collapse, expect he'll be dealt at the deadline.  Soroka too. 

[IanRubbish]

Looking at the Red Sox minor leaguers to see who Rizzo will trade for.  His three main types are AAAA 25 year olds, speedy guys who give him a man crush and can't hit, and hard throwers who give him a man crush and walk or plunk a batter every inning.

[zimm_da_kid]

Lowe and finnegan have to go. Would imagine chafin goes if he keeps this up as well, Soroka too (his peripherals look good so I'm hopeful).

Red Sox got pick 33 in the comp round that can be traded. I'd target that in a lowe trade. Mariners could also use a better 1B nd have pick 35 in the comp round.

[IanRubbish]

Red Sox got pick 33 in the comp round that can be traded. I'd target that in a lowe trade. Mariners could also use a better 1B nd have pick 35 in the comp round.

One way to ensure the losing season streak continues is to give Rizzo more high draft picks. 

[Smithian]

I still am team "Extend Lowe". Solid veteran, won't be super expensive, Nationals are pretty void of AAA/MLB talent at DH/1B. I'd rather hold Lowe and if Morales comes up later this year and hits well, move Lowe in offseason.

I'm not sure the market for Finnegan. His peripheral numbers are bad. He played the FA game for months last winter and ended up back on quality middle reliever money. I personally think Finnegan would be a useful pickup for a contender, but I'm not moving him for pennies. For now, he is a workhorse closer for the Nationals who can pitch often and deliver solid results. I'd rather keep him around to keep second half from seeing an extra seven losses due to bullpen meltdowns and have a bunch of young relivers burnt out playing roles they shouldn't be in.

[IanRubbish]

I still am team "Extend Lowe". Solid veteran, won't be super expensive, Nationals are pretty void of AAA/MLB talent at DH/1B. I'd rather hold Lowe and if Morales comes up later this year and hits well, move Lowe in offseason.

I'm not sure the market for Finnegan. His peripheral numbers are bad. He played the FA game for months last winter and ended up back on quality middle reliever money. I personally think Finnegan would be a useful pickup for a contender, but I'm not moving him for pennies. For now, he is a workhorse closer for the Nationals who can pitch often and deliver solid results. I'd rather keep him around to keep second half from seeing an extra seven losses due to bullpen meltdowns and have a bunch of young relivers burnt out playing roles they shouldn't be in.

There's a big difference between what should happen and what will happen.  Given a choice between saving Lernerbucks and winning, we know which direction the org. will go in.

[Natsinpwc]

Lowe is perfect for the Nats.  -0.2 bWAR so far this year.  96 OPS+. 

[Smithian]

Lowe is perfect for the Nats.  -0.2 bWAR so far this year.  96 OPS+. 

Extend Low(e)!

[OfftheBat]

Will we also be sellers at the 2026 deadline?  :'(

[Slateman]

Will we also be sellers at the 2026 deadline?  :'(

If ownership remains the same, yes

[IanRubbish]

Will we also be sellers at the 2026 deadline?  :'(

That's when I think Gore gets dealt.  Boras will take him elsewhere in free agency and he's going to command a lot more Lernerbucks next year and in 27 in his 2nd and 3rd years in arbitration.  They've also got to pay CJ in arb next year.  Let's just hope they don't deal Wood when he's arb eligible.  I still believe there's a 1-2 year winning cycle around the end of the decade before Wood leaves in FA after the '30 season.

[GataNats]

Sell Lowe.  His a value will never be hire.   Very little power and he’s starting to eat his way out of the league.  Very similar situation last year to Trevor Williams

[aspenbubba]

After last nites game I can see some promise for this season ONLY if  these moves are made.

Bell DFA'ed. Wood to DH. Bring Lile up until Young and Crews are back

Williams to the pen and let Lord start until Cavalli arrives

Tena to never play 3B again

Bring House up until DeJung finishes his rehab starts ONLY if House proves he is not ready for prime time ( then if House is the answer let DeJung be a back up and send Nunez down where he belongs)

Let Adams play once a week.  Ruiz cannot continue to play at this rate without it affecting his endurance

Put Ferrer into remedial fielding class



 

[Mattionals]

After last nites game I can see some promise for this season ONLY if  these moves are made.

Bell DFA'ed. Wood to DH. Bring Lile up until Young and Crews are back

Williams to the pen and let Lord start until Cavalli arrives

Tena to never play 3B again

Bring House up until DeJung finishes his rehab starts ONLY if House proves he is not ready for prime time ( then if House is the answer let DeJung be a back up and send Nunez down where he belongs)

Let Adams play once a week.  Ruiz cannot continue to play at this rate without it affecting his endurance

Put Ferrer into remedial fielding class

If Bobby Barrels can stick, I'd go Hassell/Young/Crews left to right. Wood DH. Turn Bell into a coach. Trade Lowe, Soroka, and Finnegan. Williams to the pen. Chappy takes over at 1B. House takes over at 3B. Promote YoYo to AAA and see what we got there. Cavalli takes over for Soroka, Lord takes over for Williams.

[rileyn]

I’m not sure what rush is to trade Lowe.  We have him through next year no real replacement that I can see.  Chappy is fine but he is just a guy with no hands in the field.

[imref]

I’m not sure what rush is to trade Lowe.  We have him through next year no real replacement that I can see.  Chappy is fine but he is just a guy with no hands in the field.

i don't think there's a rush. There was a report the other day that the Red Sox were calling about him. Obviously we said no as they acquired Noda from the Angels.

[IanRubbish]

I’m not sure what rush is to trade Lowe.  We have him through next year no real replacement that I can see.  Chappy is fine but he is just a guy with no hands in the field.

The only rush is his salary.  Have to distinguish what should happen from what will happen. 

[Slateman]

I’m not sure what rush is to trade Lowe.  We have him through next year no real replacement that I can see.  Chappy is fine but he is just a guy with no hands in the field.

I mean, Lowe is fine. He's a sub .800 OPS against RHP.

Morales could easily be his replacement next year. He's raking in Double A. Give him a couple months in Rochester and call him up right after the ASB

[JCA-CrystalCity]

FWIW, Lowe a bit better than average as a lefty vs RHP:
.244 / .329 / .449 vs. .246 / .326 / .415. Even for a lefty 1B, he's spot on the average vs RHP.  https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&season=2025&season1=2025&ind=0&team=0%2Css&pos=1b&type=8&month=58

he started much better but has cooled a lot in May.  TBH, Bell starts to hit, he can play 1B if you want to deal Lowe and open DH to a rotation. A quick move now is moot with Noda to the Red Sox.

Guys to watch for in deals of course are Soroka, Finnegan, Lowe, and, to a lesser extent, Lopez and Bell. DeJong and Williams probably do not have markets. Just Lowe and Williams have an extra year of control.

[OfftheBat]

If ownership remains the same, yes

That's when I think Gore gets dealt.  Boras will take him elsewhere in free agency and he's going to command a lot more Lernerbucks next year and in 27 in his 2nd and 3rd years in arbitration.  They've also got to pay CJ in arb next year.  Let's just hope they don't deal Wood when he's arb eligible.  I still believe there's a 1-2 year winning cycle around the end of the decade before Wood leaves in FA after the '30 season.

Freakin' depressing is a nice way to put it.

[IanRubbish]

Freakin' depressing is a nice way to put it.

It's the reality with Boras guys, and why the Braves don't sign them so they can extend their players into their early 30s.  Good news is Brady House is not Boras and would be a good extension candidate.  Hassell isn't either. 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

It's the reality with Boras guys, and why the Braves don't sign them so they can extend their players into their early 30s.  Good news is Brady House is not Boras and would be a good extension candidate.  Hassell isn't either. 

Oddly enough I think the buck stops at James Wood. I think they get something done with him. I know history suggests otherwise and I have no real reason to believe it will happen but its just a feeling I have. I think they do it within the next two years.

[OfftheBat]

It's the reality with Boras guys, and why the Braves don't sign them so they can extend their players into their early 30s.  Good news is Brady House is not Boras and would be a good extension candidate.  Hassell isn't either.

Oddly enough I think the buck stops at James Wood. I think they get something done with him. I know history suggests otherwise and I have no real reason to believe it will happen but its just a feeling I have. I think they do it within the next two years.

In that case, hopefully Rizzo'll stop drafting Boras clients in the future if he/Mark have no intention of signing/extending them.


SkinsNatFan, I hope you're right.