The Nationals made a big move by designating first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. This change opens a roster spot for Dylan Crews, who is back from the injured list.
Lowe’s time with the Nationals hasn’t gone as planned. Acquired from the Rangers over the winter, he was expected to be a strong hitter in the lineup. Unfortunately, he struggled, hitting only .216 with 490 plate appearances this season. That’s a stark contrast to his performance with the Rangers, where he boasted a solid .274 batting average and hit a career-high 27 home runs in 2022.
Recently, he hit a grand slam, but that was just his third hit in August. He hasn’t had a multi-hit game since mid-July and has seen his strikeout rate climb to a career-high. Despite being a consistent player before joining the Nationals, it seems he just couldn’t find his rhythm in D.C.
The Nationals likely looked for trades before the deadline, but his slump and $10.3 million salary made it tough. Now, the team must place him on waivers, leading to two possibilities: another team might claim him, or he could become a free agent. If unclaimed, he’d only cost a new team the league minimum for any time spent in the majors.
Interestingly, if Lowe signs with another team and performs well, they could keep him under club control until 2026, but he’d need to impress to justify an increase in salary. Given his struggles, it’s uncertain if another team will take that chance.
In his absence, the Nationals can turn to players like Josh Bell, allowing younger talent to get more playing time at first base. Options in the minors, like Juan Yepez and Yohandy Morales, are available, but they’ve faced challenges in their performance.
This shift highlights how quickly things can change in Major League Baseball. Just last season, Lowe was a reliable player. Now, he faces questions about his future while the Nationals focus on rebuilding and giving younger players a shot.
For further insights on player performance and team dynamics in MLB, you might find ESPN’s analysis useful.
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