Red Sox 'Likely' Pursuing $10 Million Silver Slugger in Trade, Insider Says
The Boston Red Sox have disappointed so far this season with a losing record going into Thursday, even after an offseason of significant additions.
The team added Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman and Alex Bregman among others in hopes of ending a three-year playoff drought. But those additions were followed by a significant loss that raised unanswered questions about the roster.
After Red Sox first baseman Triston Cases suffered a season-ending knee injury, the team has been unable to land on a significant substitute. The team asked franchise slugger Rafael Devers to try it out, and he has refused. Boston is now working out rookie Kristian Campbell at the position, but it isn't clear if or when he will be ready to take it on full-time.
As they search for answers, the Red Sox have acknowledged they are considering external additions that could help. And in a recent episode of the "Fenway Rundown" podcast, team insider Sean McAdam identified a likely trade target.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts....
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston)"The Red Sox did initially canvas teams to see if there might be a trade that could be made to bring in a more established first baseman," McAdam said. "I did hear that at least one team had contacted the Washington Nationals of late to inquire about the potential availability of Nathaniel Lowe. I don't know for a fact that was the Red Sox but it seems likely it was. There are not a lot of other teams in the market in mid-May for first basemen other than the Red Sox, so I'm going to assume that was one of the calls they made."
McAdam's assumption certainly makes sense on paper as Lowe would be the kind of veteran substitute who is familiar with the position, can offer similar offensive production to Casas and might not come at an outlandish cost from a likely seller.
In 2022, Lowe earned a Silver Slugger Award for a .302/.358/.492 season with 27 home runs as a member of the Texas Rangers. After taking a one-year deal with the Nationals and agreeing to a $10.3 million salary to avoid arbitration, he seems like a likely trade candidate.
However, McAdam added that the Nationals are not yet ready to "wave the white flag" by selling Lowe or any other player this early into the season. But as the trade deadline nears, the Red Sox's likely interest in Lowe could progress into an actual trade to bring him in for first base.
More MLB: Padres' Top National League Closer 'Expected to Opt Out' After Season Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
No flirting with perfection for deGrom against O's this time. Just another solid start for Texas ace
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There was no flirting with perfection this time for Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom against the Orioles. Just another impressive start for the two-time Cy Young Award winner in his comeback from elbow surgery. DeGrom struck out six on Tuesday night and limited the Orioles to two runs over six innings, on a homer by Gary Sánchez that just cleared the wall. The 37-year-old right-hander departed with a 7-2 lead, six days after he was perfect through six innings and took a no-hitter into the eighth in Baltimore. It was the 17th start this season for deGrom, and the 14th in a row he worked at least five innings while also allowing two runs or fewer. That extended his franchise record, and is the longest streak in the majors this season. Baltimore had a runner early this time, when Ryan O'Hearn drew a leadoff walk in the second inning. Cedric Mullins led off the third with a bunt single, though he was then thrown out trying to steal second base. Sanchez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the fourth. The 381-foot shot barely got over the wall in left, and came one pitch after his foul pop that dropped just beyond the extended reach of first baseman Josh Smith into the Rangers dugout. After missing most of his first two seasons with the Rangers because of his second Tommy John surgery, deGrom has thrown 101 1/3 innings this year, his first time over 100 in a season since he threw 204 in 2019 — when he won his second consecutive National League Cy Young while with the New York Mets. He threw only 41 innings combined in nine starts the past two seasons after signing his $185 million, five-year contract with Texas in free agency. Texas won all six starts deGrom made in his Texas debut before the end of April in 2023 before surgery, then he rehabbed most of last year before a 1.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings in three September starts. DeGrom made 12 starts during the COVID-19-shortened 60-game season in 2020, and had career-low 1.08 ERA over 92 innings in 2021 before missing the final three months with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow. He was shut down late during spring training in 2022 because of a stress reaction in his right scapula, then went 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts the last two months of that season before becoming a free agent. ___ AP MLB:
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
No flirting with perfection for deGrom against O's this time. Just another solid start for Texas ace
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There was no flirting with perfection this time for Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom against the Orioles. Just another impressive start for the two-time Cy Young Award winner in his comeback from elbow surgery. DeGrom struck out six on Tuesday night and limited the Orioles to two runs over six innings, on a homer by Gary Sánchez that just cleared the wall. The 37-year-old right-hander departed with a 7-2 lead, six days after he was perfect through six innings and took a no-hitter into the eighth in Baltimore. It was the 17th start this season for deGrom, and the 14th in a row he worked at least five innings while also allowing two runs or fewer. That extended his franchise record, and is the longest streak in the majors this season. Baltimore had a runner early this time, when Ryan O'Hearn drew a leadoff walk in the second inning. Cedric Mullins led off the third with a bunt single, though he was then thrown out trying to steal second base. Sanchez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the fourth. The 381-foot shot barely got over the wall in left, and came one pitch after his foul pop that dropped just beyond the extended reach of first baseman Josh Smith into the Rangers dugout. After missing most of his first two seasons with the Rangers because of his second Tommy John surgery, deGrom has thrown 101 1/3 innings this year, his first time over 100 in a season since he threw 204 in 2019 — when he won his second consecutive National League Cy Young while with the New York Mets. He threw only 41 innings combined in nine starts the past two seasons after signing his $185 million, five-year contract with Texas in free agency. Texas won all six starts deGrom made in his Texas debut before the end of April in 2023 before surgery, then he rehabbed most of last year before a 1.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings in three September starts. DeGrom made 12 starts during the COVID-19-shortened 60-game season in 2020, and had career-low 1.08 ERA over 92 innings in 2021 before missing the final three months with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow. ___
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers Make Mookie Betts Decision Before White Sox Game
Dodgers Make Mookie Betts Decision Before White Sox Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shortstop Mookie Betts is playing in his 12th major league season, his sixth as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, Betts quickly rose to stardom. In 2018 he captured American League MVP honors and led Boston to a World Series title in what many consider one of the game's greatest single-season performances. With free agency looming, the Red Sox traded Betts to Los Angeles in February 2020. The Dodgers immediately locked him up with a 12-year, $365 million extension, the richest deal in franchise history at the time. Since joining L.A., Betts has added two more World Series rings (2020, 2024) and piled up two Gold Gloves and four All-Star selections. In March 2024, he officially switched to shortstop, to provide the team with lineup versatility. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50)Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The Dodgers are fresh off a 2–1 series win in Kansas City—their sixth straight series victory—though Mookie Betts went just 1-for-12 with three strikeouts in the three-game set. Advertisement Ahead of Tuesday's opener against the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles gave Betts the day off, slotting Hyeseong Kim at shortstop. Betts has dipped to a .249 average and .707 OPS this season—both well below his career averages. The drop in production may be partially attributed to a stomach virus that saw him lose 20–25 pounds just before Opening Day and struggle to keep food down. With Los Angeles sitting at 53–32—tied with Detroit for MLB's best record—the club will be counting on Betts to rebound down the stretch as they chase back-to-back World Series titles. Related: Mookie Betts Sends Clear Message After Dodgers' Loss to Padres Related: Dodgers Make Unexpected Announcement Before Padres Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
