The Washington Nationals face potentially making trades involving several players before the MLB July 31 deadline, with first baseman Nathaniel Lowe among those on the market. While Lowe may not be the most prominent name available, his trade value has gained attention recently, especially given the Nationals’ intent not to disrupt their young core. However, Lowe’s role with the team remains somewhat uncertain.
As of Friday’s games, the 30-year-old Lowe was hitting .226 with an on-base percentage of .294 and a slugging percentage of .392, alongside 15 home runs and 62 runs batted in. His performance is respectable but not standout, making his future with the Nationals an intriguing discussion point among trade partners and fans alike.
Seattle Mariners’ Acquisition of Josh Naylor Influences Market Dynamics
On Thursday evening, the Seattle Mariners completed a trade to acquire first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mariners gave up two top pitching prospects, Ashton Izzi and Brandyn Garcia, to secure Naylor’s services.
Naylor, who was the Miami Marlins’ first-round pick in 2015 and hails from Canada, brings a strong track record to his new team. His current season statistics mirror those of Lowe, with a .226 batting average, a .294 on-base percentage, a .392 slugging mark, 15 home runs, 62 RBIs, 19 doubles, and a triple. Over his career, Naylor has consistently demonstrated power, hitting at least 17 home runs each season for the past three years, with a peak of 31 home runs last year while with the Cleveland Guardians.
Signed to a one-year contract worth $10.9 million, Naylor will become a free agent after this season, making the Mariners’ commitment short-term but impactful in a lineup search for reliable power hitting.
What Nathaniel Lowe Offers to Potential Trade suitors
Nathaniel Lowe is viewed as a consistent source of power at first base, having become an MLB regular starting in 2021 with the Texas Rangers before being traded in the offseason to the Nationals in exchange for pitcher Robert Garcia. His overall stats across a 162-game span include a .265 batting average, a .348 on-base percentage, a .428 slugging percentage, 21 home runs, and 80 RBIs.
Lowe’s career-best numbers came in 2022, when he hit .302 with 27 home runs, and he has maintained a track record of at least 16 home runs each season over the past four years. Despite a dip in batting average this year, his power-hitting capability remains valuable, especially to teams like the Mariners who have been actively searching for a steady first base bat to enhance their offense.
Reasons Behind the Rise in Lowe’s Trade Appeal
Unlike Josh Naylor, Nathaniel Lowe holds an important advantage for trade partners: team control extending beyond this season. Lowe recently lost an arbitration case with the Nationals, setting his salary at $10.3 million, but still remains under contract with one more year of team control before he becomes a free agent in 2027.
This extra year on contract increases his value in the market for two main reasons. First, any team acquiring Lowe benefits from that additional controlled season, reducing risk involved with free agency. Second, with Josh Naylor now off the market, teams seeking a first baseman with similar skill sets may have greater interest in Lowe, allowing the Nationals to command a higher return in trade talks.
Therefore, Lowe’s Nationals trade value is rising just as the deadline approaches, putting the Nationals in a stronger negotiating position regarding their first baseman option.
Looking Ahead to the Trade Deadline and Nationals’ Prospects
The Nationals’ decisions in the final days before the MLB trade deadline will be critical for their roster construction and future plans. Nathaniel Lowe’s increased trade value creates a potential opportunity for Washington to either secure a meaningful return or retain a reliable first baseman with a year of control remaining.
As the Mariners target power hitters like Josh Naylor, MLB teams may continue evaluating players like Lowe to meet their lineup needs, driving up competition and trade prices. How the Nationals capitalize on this shifting market could significantly influence their trajectory over the next seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where is Nathaniel Lowe today?
A. Harold Godfrey Lowe was born on November 21, 1882, and passed away on May 12, 1944. He served as a British naval officer. Lowe worked as the fifth officer on the RMS Titanic and was among the four officers who survived the tragic sinking.