TRADE: Texas Rangers Deal 1B Nathaniel Lowe To National League

The first base market has been one of the focal points of the offseason, with names like Christian Walker and Paul Goldschmidt already signing in free agency, while Cody Bellinger (also an outfielder) and Josh Naylor have been traded. Pete Alonso is still the biggest name at 1B on the open market.

Now, Texas Rangers' first baseman Nathaniel Lowe is the latest to move, as he has been traded to the Washington Nationals.

The Washington Nationals are finalizing a trade to acquire first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2024

Left-handed reliever Robert Garcia is headed the other way in this deal.

Lowe has been one of the more underrated and effective first basemen in the majors in recent seasons, with a career 120 OPS+, a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award. The Nationals are a team that seems on the verge of breaking through, with a lot of nice young talent. Adding a solid producer and defender at first will be a big boost.

Lowe, 29, playing 140 games last season and hit .265 with a .361 on-base along with 16 homers.

The Rangers added slugging cornerman Jake Burger earlier this offseason in a trade with the Miami Marlins, making Lowe expendable.

In Garcia, Texas gets a hard-throwing lefty for the bullpen. The 28-year-old fanned 11.3 batters per nine last season while posting a 4.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.