2025 was a strange year for Nathaniel Lowe. He was coming off 4 straight years averaging 2.8 bWAR per season with a .274/.359./.432 batting line. He was joining a new team — the Washington Nationals — who many believed to be something of a sleeper in the National League with young stars James Wood and CJ Abrams. Lowe was positioned to be a key veteran presence with playoff and World Series experience. What followed instead was a .665 OPS and rumors of a trade. After no one picked him up at the deadline,
he found his way to Boston.
The Good
Lowe bounced back with Boston while hitting .280/.370/.420 with 2 home runs over 34 games. He solidified the first base position and removed Abraham Toro from the equation. His platoon with Romy Gonzalez gave Alex Cora matchups. As players were being crossed out for the season Lowe arrived and played out the string. When they absolutely needed someone to stay in the lineup Nathaniel Lowe was there. After losing Triston Casas early in the season they finally had someone who could hold down first base.
The Bad
We don’t need cover his time in DC. It was bad and that’s why he found himself DFA’d. But while Lowe had 34 games with Boston they weren’t all part of his Fountain of Youth! The first 17 games in Boston Lowe did bounce back. He hit .294/.362/.510 with both of his home runs. The next 17: .265/.377/.327. Which looking at the OBP is not nothing. But with no home runs and just 3 doubles (just like the first 17), you’re looking at a poor showing for a slugger. As the Sox nearly drifted out of the playoff picture they needed, in game after game, power.
Best Game or Moment
His second game with the Red Sox, against the Orioles, and Lowe hits a two-run homer to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. They would go on to lose this game but at the time were so desperate for signs of life at first base and this seemed like, possibly, the answer.
The Big Question
Do you bring back Nathaniel Lowe? Unlikely. With Triston Casas expected to have a full offseason and return in Spring Training he’s set in stone (basically) as the first baseman. Masataka Yoshida is the DH.
2026 and Beyond
It is possible the Red Sox can do some contractual magic and bring Lowe back on a smaller deal than he’d otherwise be in line to earn. But he’s still a second left handed first baseman. Either Lowe or Casas can platoon with Romy Gonzalez. It’s going to be difficult to find a place to put Lowe and if the Red Sox believe that Casas can stay healthy he has legitimate upside. If he duplicated his 2023 that’s 24 home runs and a .263/.367/.490 slash line. And it’s still just his age-26 season. Nathaniel Lowe will be on another team in 2026 and that’s OK. He gave Boston what they needed in 2025: someone not Abraham Toro.
