Copyright yardbarker
This is a player capable of unilaterally carrying an offense like he did on a road trip in August. He hit .279 with five home runs and 10 RBI during a period of time that kept the Rays’ faint playoff hopes alive. Lowe hit his longest home run of the season at Sutter Health Field in Sacramento, with the ball traveling an estimated 458 feet to center field. Rivals Smell Blood Bowden lists two American League rivals that should attempt to poach Lowe from the Rays. The New York Yankees have Jazz Chisholm Jr. seemingly entrenched at second base, but Lowe can play first base and represents a left-handed bat the Yankees could utilize. Maybe the Yankees are more willing to dangle Chisholm in trade talks with other clubs this winter. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros have question marks in their infield with Jose Altuve‘s long-term future at the position being an open question. The Astros missed the postseason for the first time since 2016 and face an uphill climb in their division with the Seattle Mariners. The Last Word The Rays are facing a fork in the road with trade rumors surrounding their best players. The club realized that it needed to start evaluating young players when the playoffs were a pipe dream. Carson Williams was given an extended opportunity to prove himself. If the Rays don’t feel like the postseason is a realistic possibility, then they may trade players like Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz this winter. The Rays could move Lowe and install Taylor Walls as the main option at the keystone, but the offense would likely suffer a huge blow in that event. The Rays could trade Díaz and see if Xavier Isaac is ready for the big leagues. All of these discussions will be playing out as new ownership takes control and strives to make a solid first impression. These decisions will have a big impact on the Rays down the line.
