Last December, when the Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt, they thought their first base concerns had vanished. However, for the first 8 months this year, the first baseman has been merely above average, 109 OPS+ with only 10 homers to date. What’s even more surprising is the significant drop in his slugging percentage, which stands at .422, a stark contrast to the .500+ slugging percentages he posted during his prime years with the Diamondbacks and Cardinals. Even that got stalled after Goldschmidt went down with a knee sprain. However, there was someone who could have offered reliability in both 1B and DH.

Nathaniel Lowe, the guy just DFA’d by the Nationals, could have added the utility the Yankees are searching for by playing Goldschmidt (if he needs an IL stint) at first base or taking DH full-time in case Giancarlo Stanton’s injuries flare up. Moreover, Lowe’s 91st percentile in OAA in 2023 makes him one of the best defensive players in baseball. However, that flexibility would always be a dream now.

“First baseman Nathaniel Lowe and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing a deal, sources tell ESPN. Lowe was DFA’d by Washington earlier this week and will head to Boston and join one of the best lineups in the league,” MLB insider Jeff Passan shared.

Reportedly, the Red Sox have been linked to Lowe since back in May, right after Triston Casas went down with what looks like a season-ending knee injury. But the Nats were keen on offering more time, considering they got two years of club control with Lowe from the Rangers. But owing to his underperformance, Washington put him on waivers yesterday. And the Red Sox were ready to pounce on the former Gold Glove winner.

Well, on paper, Lowe’s 16 HRs and 68 RBIs look respectable for the team’s highest-paid player on the active roster entering the season ($10.3 mil)—right in line with his career track. But that .216/.292/.373 slash line told a different story. Still, that holds value for a team like the Red Sox, which is yet to get a fixed 1B solution post-Casas’ departure.

The Red Sox’s trade deadline moves serve as a backdrop for pursuing Lowe

Yes, the Red Sox were desperate to land Lowe, but similar to the Yankees, they are also deprived of a reliable 1B, post Triston Casas’ ruptured patellar tendon. But surprisingly, their trade deadline moves didn’t resonate with this need. The Red Sox landed two pitchers but no security at first base.

Since Casas went down with his knee injury, the Sox have been patching things together at first with an Abraham Toro/Romy Gonzalez platoon. Everyone figured they’d go after some first base help before the trade deadline. But they didn’t end up adding any bats. And to his credit, Gonzalez, the righty, has more than done his part in the mix (.294 BA & 8 HRs).

But that still was a stopgap solution, and the reason for the Red Sox being so aggressive to land Lowe.

Hence, the acquisition of Lowe is surely going to bolster the Red Sox’s offense. However, more than that, it serves as a reminder about the botched trade deadline for the team. Now, all eyes will be on how Lowe performed here in Boston amid his low-key affair this year.