Former Red Sox-Linked First Baseman Placed on Waivers

The Boston Red Sox’s hunt for a steady first baseman just keeps dragging on in 2024. When Triston Casas went down with a knee injury, Boston tried to patch things together with Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro. The results? Not great, either at the plate or in the field.

Now, Nathaniel Lowe—former Gold Glove winner—has popped up on waivers. Boston might have another shot to fix its first base mess, but there’s plenty of competition for him.

First Base Woes Since Casas’ Injury

Before Casas got hurt, the Red Sox actually had above-average production at first base. Since then, it’s been a scramble, and honestly, the patchwork approach hasn’t worked out.

Boston’s first basemen now rank 24th in MLB in weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). That stat says a lot about how much they’ve struggled to hit.

Gonzalez has done alright against lefties. Still, his flashes of success don’t hide the bigger issues.

The team just can’t get steady offense from first base, and it’s thrown off the lineup, especially when facing right-handed starters.

The Abraham Toro Factor

Abraham Toro’s had a longer look at first, but his bat hasn’t made up for his defense. He’s got a wRC+ of just 84 against righties, which is well below average.

On defense, Toro’s inexperience at first shows. It’s another headache for Boston at that spot.

Trade Deadline Inaction and Lowe’s Availability

Back in July, the Red Sox front office looked at different ways to improve first base before the deadline. Nathaniel Lowe, then with the Nationals, was on their radar.

Nothing came together, so Boston stuck with what they had. Now, Lowe’s been designated for assignment and is on waivers, so teams get another shot at him.

Boston showed interest before, so maybe they’ll try again. But waivers can get messy, and it’s not just their decision.

A Mixed Bag for Lowe in 2024

This year, Lowe hasn’t been hitting much—just .216 with 16 home runs. His defense has slipped too, sitting at -4 Outs Above Average (OAA), which puts him in the 12th percentile across MLB.

Still, there’s some upside. Against right-handed pitchers, he’s got a 104 wRC+ and 14 of his 16 homers have come off them. Considering Boston can’t get much from first base against righties, that’s a real area where he could help right away.

Defensive Track Record and Roster Implications

Sure, Lowe’s struggled in the field this season. But last year, he finished in the 91st percentile in OAA and won a Gold Glove.

That history hints this year might just be a blip, not the start of a decline. Toro doesn’t have that kind of resume, so if Boston wants a steadier glove, Lowe could be the safer bet.

Waiver Competition

Boston doesn’t have a clear path to Lowe. The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers both need first base help and have higher waiver priority.

If either team claims him, Boston’s shot at Lowe is gone. No chance for a counteroffer, just like that.

What’s Next for Boston?

The Red Sox’s trade deadline move showed some belief in the Gonzalez-Toro platoon. But with Toro slumping lately and the team still grinding through a tight playoff race, just sticking with the status quo might not cut it anymore.

If Lowe lands on their waiver wire, Boston could take a shot—there’s not much risk, and maybe there’s some real upside. That’s assuming chief baseball officer Craig Breslow thinks Lowe can get back to what he showed in 2023.

For now, though, first base remains a big question mark. Until they figure it out, Boston’s postseason hopes are going to stay tangled up with a position that’s been a problem since April.

 
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