He was and is available in trade for a player they really want. Mathews, Brito and Ullola were a harder get from team from what I have been told. It isn't that they don't like Melton (because they do) but there are legitimate concerns about Melton - although they were happy with flashes down the stretch.
I have 2 questions. 1) Can Lowe still play LF? He last played the OF, 1 game in 2022 and never played the OF more than 15 games in a season. If he needs to play more than 20% of his games at 2b then he causes more problems. He has also never played 3b. He played 13 games at 1b but hits LH so wouldn't pair with Singleton. When @Nook mentioned the Astros were interested in Lowe from the Rays, I thought he meant Josh Lowe who is a true OF but also a year away from arbitration so TB has no motivation to trade him. 2) would an organization like TB trade away a guy like Brandon Lowe without reducing payroll by getting young cheap guys for him?
Lowe can play OF, 2nd and 1st. He hasn't played a lot of OF because of the configuration of the Rays roster and because Lowe is always hurt. If the Rays deal him (they are not giving him away/they will pick up the option and listen to offers and decide whether to keep him) to the Astros, he would likely let Altuve play DH more often, and he would play back up 1st and get at bats at the corner spot. The Rays believe that playing outfield makes him more injury prone. Brandon Lowe - has a 2025 and 2026 option. Left handed hitter that can hit 30 homers if he gets 500 at bats. The Rays can afford to keep him financially but are listening to offers and would move him for good value. Rays will have some money to spend this Winter. They will keep Lowe if the offers are not what they want - but yeah they are listening on him. They are looking for guys under team control mostly. They also really want a catcher - they will have a different one next year. The Dodgers also supposedly have some interest.
This guy is who I'm hoping they trade for. A pure hitter. What do you think it would take to trade for Lowe?
I am afraid there will be no place to play Altuve except at 2nd base. Alvarez will be more restricted to DH than ever before due to his injuries in 24. It would be great if either he or Altuve could play LF or 1st base but I just do not see it in their futures.
Altuve probably has at least 2 more seasons of being able to play 2B 100+ games a year. And yes, he is not viable elsewhere and Alvarez needs to be extremely limited in how much he is used in the field; my plan for Yordan would be ~110 games at DH and ~20 games in the field, just enough to keep him viable to be able to play LF as needed in the playoffs.
Probably a fair trade. Houston should only do that if they don’t think Melton will reach his ceiling. I expect Chicago to want to compete next year so I don’t see them making that trade either. But I do think it’s pretty fair value for both sides.
That is a good question. I know McCormick has been mentioned, but if I had to guess - several other prospects that the Rays like in AA or A+ and maybe a useful reliever or something. Lowe is pretty good when he is healthy, and he is in the price range the Astros like with the payroll issues. He can play multiple positions and will fit in culture-wise. He hits from the left side and has real power. The Rays have money to spend within reason this winter, so they will keep him if they don't get an offer they like. The Rays top priority is catching, I don't know if they want a young long term catcher in a bigger deal or would be happy with someone like Caratini and McCormick and maybe someone like Whitley for Lowe. I know that if the Rays were to package Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe to the Astros and take on a smaller contract from the Astros - they could probably get someone pretty good from the Astros... the Astros would solve two positional weaknesses for not a lot of money.... the Astros would likely gulp and give up more than many would think to solve their line up issues.
Not happening. He has a fun no trade clause and made it clear to the Cubs he will not waive it for anyone. Astros and Yankees tried barking up that tree already.
Astros get: 1B/3B Yandy Diaz 2B/LF/1B Brandon Lowe Rays get: OF Chas McCormick SP Spencer Arrighetti OF Jacob Melton C Victor Caratini RP Shawn Dubin I think that would be a fair deal for both sides. If Houston got both Lowe and Diaz, their lineup would be set and they’d had a bit of money to go sign a SP to backfill Arrighetti. But even if they didn’t, the dropoff from Arrighetti to someone like Blubaugh or Gusto is probably not as steep as people think.
I would give up anybody but Matthews for these 2 guys. Something like Melton/Baez/Blubaugh/Ulolla I would even consider taking Baez out of the deal and adding Matthews. I doubt Dana would consider doing a deal like this though. Then with what's left over look at adding Robert.
Sign me up for this. I'm looking at finding a CF with the extra bit of money and bet on Garcia/Blubaugh/Gusto etc... to fill extra spot. Adding 2 professional hitters would go a long way to solving the issues with the offense. Do you think Diaz can play 3B? If so put Lowe at 1st and fill in the OF spots with guys like Yastermski/Soler on the cheap. Maybe even give Dezenzo a shot at 3B and play Diaz at 1B and Lowe in LF.
I might trade Arrighetti for both of them, not add much more. As a rookie Arrighetti was a solid starter with elite swing and miss ability over the last 2/3 of the year. I don't think backfilling him with unproven AAA players is easy. Not saying he's untouchable, but if I'm giving up 6 years of team control of that ceiling/results combo I want a star and/or extended team control, not short term solid starters, one of whom is nearing an age danger zone.
