The Nationals introduced Thursday that they’ve designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for project. He’ll be the corresponding transfer to open an energetic roster spot for Dylan Crews, whose beforehand reported reinstatement from the 60-day injured checklist is now official.
It’s an sudden finish to what’ll go down as a lackluster tenure with the Nats for Lowe, whom Washington acquired from the Rangers over the winter. The Nats despatched lefty Robert Garcia to Texas in hopes that Lowe, who got here to D.C. with two years of membership management remaining, might be a multi-year choice offering middle-of-the-order punch to a younger lineup. It hasn’t gone as hoped, to say the least.
Lowe, 30, was a gradual supply of manufacturing with the Rangers from 2021-24, hitting .274/.359/.432 (124 wRC+) with 78 residence runs — together with a career-high 27 round-trippers again in 2022. He hasn’t come wherever close to that stage of manufacturing with the Nationals. In 490 plate appearances, he’s batted simply .216/.292/.373 with a 26.5% strikeout fee that stands as the very best of his profession in a full season. Lowe’s 9.6% stroll fee is best than common however nonetheless the second-lowest of his profession and a methods shy of the 11.3% clip he recorded throughout that four-year peak with the Rangers.
Lowe hit a grand slam yesterday, his first homer since July 19, however that was simply his third hit within the month of August regardless of common taking part in time. He hasn’t had a multi-hit recreation since July 18 and is batting solely .167/.271/.294 in his previous 36 video games (144 plate appearances). The house run yesterday was an enormous hit however not sufficient for Lowe to avoid wasting his job with the Nats.
The Nationals seemingly explored potential offers for Lowe previous to the commerce deadline, however his ongoing hunch and pretty hefty $10.3MM wage would’ve served as vital impediments to discovering a deal. With the deadline now behind them, the Nats could have no recourse aside from to position Lowe on outright waivers or launch waivers. At this level, that’s little greater than a paper distinction. Lowe crossed 5 years of main league service time lower than a month into the season, which means he can reject an outright project in favor of free company and nonetheless retain the rest of that assure as he heads to the open market.
All 29 different groups could have the chance to say Lowe, however in mild of his immense struggles, it’s onerous to see one other staff claiming the remaining $2.49MM on his contract. If Lowe passes by way of waivers unclaimed, he’ll change into a free agent who can signal with any staff. A brand new staff would solely owe him the prorated portion of the league minimal for any time spent on the massive league roster. The Nationals will stay on the hook for the remainder of his wage.
If Lowe can catch on elsewhere and return to type, he’d technically stay beneath membership management with that new staff by way of 2026. Nonetheless, he’d be due a (small) elevate on that $10.3MM wage, so he’d must make fairly the impression within the last few weeks of the season with a view to persuade a brand new membership that he’s worthy of an $11MM+ expenditure. The Nationals have been clearly going to non-tender him — they wouldn’t have made this transfer if not — and in all chance Lowe will likely be a free agent searching for rebound alternatives this winter.
The Nats have as much as 5 days to position Lowe on waivers. In the event that they wait the utmost period of time, that assured wage will drop barely, to about $2.2MM, but it surely’s nonetheless unlikely that one other membership would declare that sum.
With Lowe out the door in D.C., the Nats may give elevated first base reps to a resurgent Josh Bell, which might unlock the DH spot to rotate a number of younger gamers. Different choices at first bae within the higher minors embody Juan Yepez, Yohandy Morales and Trey Lipscomb, although of that trio solely Lipscomb is on the 40-man roster — and each Yepez and Morales have struggled in Triple-A.
