The Rays have exercised their club option on infielder Brandon Lowe, as reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times before the official announcement. Instead of giving him a $1M buyout and sending him to free agency, they have locked in his $10.5M salary for the upcoming season.
There was little suspense surrounding this decision, as Lowe has a career batting line of .245/.330/.482 with a 126 wRC+. In 2024, he posted a .244/.311/.473 line with a 123 wRC+.
Lowe has primarily played second base but has also seen time at first base and in the outfield corners. While not a standout defender at any position, his versatility is valuable. Although he has dealt with injuries throughout his career, his performance on the field has been strong.
Back in March 2019, when Lowe had just 43 MLB games under his belt, he signed a six-year, $24M contract extension with the Rays. The team has been pleased with the return on their investment in Lowe.
They have exercised the club option to retain Lowe for the 2025 season, with another option for 2026 at a rate of $11.5M and a $500K buyout.
Now, the question arises whether the Rays will keep Lowe or trade him. The franchise has a history of trading players as they become more expensive and closer to free agency, a pattern that could apply to Lowe.
With a projected 2025 payroll similar to 2024, the Rays may need to make moves to manage their budget, especially with ongoing uncertainties surrounding their stadium situation. Whether due to damage from Hurricane Milton or other factors, the Rays might need to navigate challenging financial circumstances in the near future.
Given their tendency to trade players in Lowe’s situation for more cost-effective alternatives, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Lowe’s name come up in trade talks this offseason.
