Copyright newsweek
The Boston Red Sox have a decision to make on one of their newly acquired players this offseason. The Red Sox signed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to a one-year deal in August after he was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals, but his future with the team remains unclear. Lowe, 30, excelled in his small stint with Boston to close out the season, slashing .280/.370/.420 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. Though he played well for the Red Sox this season, Lowe will not be nearly as cheap to bring back for next season. It seems unlikely the team would pay Lowe what he’s currently projected to make next season. MassLive’s Chris Cotillo took it a step further, stating the Red Sox could release or DFA Lowe to create a “free space” on the roster before scheduling to non-tender him. “The Red Sox do have something of a free space, however, when it comes to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe,” Cotillo wrote Tuesday. “Lowe is not a free agent — yet — because he’s an arbitration-eligible player. But he’s due, after earning $10.3 million last season, to get a raise in the $13.5 million range, according to (MLB Trade Rumors). BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Nathaniel Lowe #37 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a double during the second inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers on September 26, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) “His performance, of course, is not commensurate with that salary, making him a clear, obvious non-tender candidate. The Red Sox could just cut bait immediately by designating or releasing Lowe and allowing him to hit the open market a little earlier. That would not preclude trying to re-sign him on a lower-dollar deal.” Despite having a down season, Lowe is still a former World Series champion and has also won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. The 30-year-old first baseman set a career-high with 84 RBIs this season. If the Red Sox choose to designate Lowe for assignment, other teams would have the opportunity to target him. Other teams would still end up in the same situation Boston is currently in, having to pay him in arbitration. A reunion with the Red Sox is still in play with Lowe, but it’s unclear what that could look like, especially with first base remaining an area of need for the team with Triston Casas set to return in 2026 from a major injury. More MLB: Division Rival Listed ‘Best Fit’ For Blue Jays Cy Young Pitcher
