Nathaniel Lowe Finalizing Deal With Red Sox After Nationals DFA

The Boston Red Sox just made a strategic move to shore up first base, signing veteran Nathaniel Lowe to a prorated major league minimum contract. They needed a solution after Triston Casas’s season-ending knee injury left them scrambling with a platoon setup at first.

Lowe, who recently cleared waivers after the Nationals designated him for assignment, brings World Series experience and a knack for hitting right-handed pitching. Honestly, that’s exactly what Boston needs right now as they fight for a wild-card spot in the American League.

Red Sox Address First Base Instability

First base has turned into a revolving door since Casas went down in May. Manager Alex Cora’s tried a platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez, but it hasn’t been a home run.

Gonzalez has done well against lefties. Toro, on the other hand, started hot but his bat’s cooled off lately.

Adding Nathaniel Lowe gives Boston a steadier, more experienced option, especially when facing right-handers. He’ll wear No. 37 as he starts his run with the Red Sox.

Nathaniel Lowe’s Career Highlights

Lowe’s best run came with the Texas Rangers, where he hit consistently and helped them win the 2023 World Series. He’s a career .270 hitter with decent pop and has smashed 14 home runs off right-handed pitchers this season, posting an OPS+ of 120.

His time with the Nationals in 2024 didn’t go as well, but his ability to hit righties still stands out. That’s a fit for what Boston’s looking for at the moment.

Corresponding Roster Moves

Boston made a few other roster tweaks along with Lowe’s signing:

• Outfielder Rob Refsnyder landed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
• They called up infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester.
• Catcher Ali Sanchez was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.

Refsnyder’s injury puts a squeeze on the outfield, so bringing up Eaton should help with defensive depth.

Triple-A Depth Still in Play

Lowe fills a big need, but Boston still has some internal options at Triple-A. Kristian Campbell, Vaughn Grissom, and top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia could step in if the team needs more help at first base down the stretch.

Impact on the Wild-Card Race

Boston’s sitting at 68-57, tied with the Mariners for the top wild-card spot in the AL. The Yankees are right on their heels, with the Guardians a bit further back.

Every roster move feels bigger this late in the season. Grabbing someone with postseason experience like Lowe just might make a difference.

Cora plans to use Lowe mostly against right-handed pitchers. He’ll also get some looks against lefties and come off the bench for pinch-hitting in big spots.

That kind of flexibility could matter in close games as Boston tries to hang onto a playoff spot.

A Veteran Presence for the Clubhouse

Besides what he does on the field, Lowe brings postseason experience and a veteran’s perspective to a team that mixes young talent with seasoned pros. That leadership could really help the younger guys as the pressure ramps up in September.

Looking Ahead

The Red Sox picked up Nathaniel Lowe in a move that feels low-risk and maybe high-reward. He adds some real lineup variety and gives Alex Cora another option for those late-season matchups.

Boston’s still waiting on Refsnyder’s return. They’re also keeping an eye on how their other internal options are developing.

With the regular season winding down, all eyes are on Lowe. Can he find that spark he had with the Rangers?

If he does, this mid-season gamble might end up as one of Boston’s smartest moves in 2024. Feels like a storyline worth watching, honestly.

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Here is the source article for this story: Sources: DFA’d by Nats, Lowe set to join Red Sox