{"id":92285,"date":"2024-12-17T23:24:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T04:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=92285"},"modified":"2024-12-17T23:24:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T04:24:23","slug":"rangers-could-move-on-nathaniel-lowe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/12\/17\/rangers-could-move-on-nathaniel-lowe\/","title":{"rendered":"One Infielder’s Tenure with Rangers Could Be Running Short"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the offseason began, rumors have been going around that Texas <\/span>Rangers<\/span> first baseman Nathaniel Lowe<\/a>‘s<\/span>\u00a0time with the team could <\/span>be coming to an<\/span> end. Lowe has been starting at first for the Rangers since 2021 and has remained one of the most consistent players in the lineup since then. <\/span>However,<\/span> with the <\/span>Rangers<\/span> currently handcuffed financially and needing to address their underwhelming pitching <\/span>staff, t<\/span>he organization might have to let go of some of their most valuable assets, <\/span>including<\/span> Lowe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nathaniel Lowe’s Rangers Tenure Could End Soon<\/h2>\n

Through the 2024 season, Lowe, similar to most of his teammates, had a <\/span>somewhat<\/span> lackluster performance on offense.<\/span> He finished the season with a respectable .265\/.361 \/.401 slashing line<\/span>, along with<\/span> 17 homers.<\/span> Although Lowe was able to remain an above-average player from a statistical standpoint, he seemed to be lacking a step through most of the season. Lowe’s underwhelming performance <\/span>could be traced<\/span> back to being forced to miss the first month of the season due to an oblique strain, putting him on the injured list for the first time in his career.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowe <\/span>was able to revert<\/span> to his former self towards the end of the season, and ended September with an impressive .310\/.413\/.517 line. While Lowe was frustrated with how he performed through most of the season, team president Chris Young<\/a> showed his support for Lowe when he said,<\/span> \u201c <\/span>Nate’s<\/span> overall body of work was really solid.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> Even though Young endorsed Lowe, recent moves by the front office make fans wonder if the Rangers are planning to put Lowe on the trade block in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential Replacement<\/h3>\n

Less than a week ago, the team acquired<\/a> slugger Jake Burger<\/a> from the Miami Marlins. Burger has spent the majority of his career playing both first and third base. While it could be argued that Burger was acquired simply to help strengthen the <\/span>team’s<\/span> lineup, which struggled mightily to hit for power last season, his addition does force fans to wonder if his arrival will mark the end of <\/span>Lowe\u2019s<\/span> tenure with the Rangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned earlier, the Rangers will need to cut costs this offseason. If the team is serious about wanting to fix their dismantled bullpen and weakened rotation. Lowe happens to be one of the most expensive position players for the Rangers. <\/span>Going into 2025<\/span>, his salary will jump from $7.5 million to above $10 million due to arbitration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From a financial standpoint, it would make sense for the Rangers to transition from Lowe to Burger at first base, as the Rangers will only be paying $800,000 to Burger in 2025. Burger is also coming off arguably the best season of career yet, as he finished his 2024 campaign with 29 homers along with an impressive .460 slugging percentage.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Tough Decision<\/h3>\n
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Jake Burger (left) vs. Nathaniel Lowe (right) power number comparison. pic.twitter.com\/9oIpl9wFSc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) December 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n