ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Rays are sending Nate Lowe to the Texas Rangers in a trade that includes five other players.
Lowe, who spent his first two MLB seasons with the Rays as a first baseman, hit .263 in his first season with seven home runs and 19 RBIs and .224 in his second season with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
He only appeared in 21 games in the shortened 2020 season with the Rays often plugging in Ji-Man Choi at first base.
The Rays Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, Erik Neander, explained the reason for the Lowe trade.
“Our numbers,” he said, “the players that we have on our roster that are similar. That was it as much as anything for Nate. Things were a little jammed up here. This was an area where we had some surplus. We liked all of these guys but Ji-Man cemented himself to the job.”
Neander added the Rangers had always had a strong interest in Lowe.
“For Nate, we are happy he will likely be in a spot where he will have a clear lane to establish himself as a major league player,” said Neander.
Jake Guenther, a minor league first baseman, and a player to be named in the future are also joining the Rangers organization.
The Rays acquire three minor league players in the trade.
Heriberto Hernandez, a catcher and an outfielder:
Osleivis Basabe, an infielder:
Alexander Ovalles, an outfielder:
