The Athletics are looking to make some moves this winter, and while they’re not planning to break the bank, they’ve got areas to address. **Mason Miller’s** move out of the closer role leaves an obvious gap, but instead of chasing expensive free agents, Oakland’s thinking about leveraging their prospect depth in the trade market.
**Brandon Lowe** could be exactly what they’re looking for.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the **Tampa Bay Rays** have been mulling a Lowe trade for years. Now it’s finally happening.
“The Rays have spent years pondering the possibility of trading second baseman Brandon Lowe. Now, with Lowe set to earn $11.5 million in the final year of his contract, the possibility might finally become real. … The Athletics and San Francisco Giants are among the other clubs seeking to upgrade at second base.”
The timing makes sense for Oakland. Lowe’s got one year left at **$11.5 million** after Tampa Bay picked up his club option, making him a manageable rental with serious upside.
Here’s the thing about Lowe – he’s a **two-time All-Star** who can really hit when he’s locked in. Last season tells the story perfectly. Overall, he hit **.256 with a .785 OPS** across **134 games**. Not bad, but not spectacular either.
But look at his first-half numbers: **.272 average, .811 OPS, and 19 home runs** in just 84 games. That’s elite second base production.
For the Athletics, it’s a smart play either way. If Oakland’s competitive by the trade deadline, they’ve got a proven veteran at second base who can contribute to a potential Wild Card push. If things aren’t working out, they can flip Lowe to a contender and recoup some of the prospect capital they invested.
The cost shouldn’t be prohibitive either. Tampa Bay knows they’re dealing from a position where they need to move salary, and Lowe’s track record speaks for itself. When he’s healthy and seeing the ball well, he’s among the better offensive second basemen in the game.
What makes this even more interesting is the market dynamics. The **Giants** are also reportedly looking at second base upgrades, so there’s competition. But Oakland’s prospect system gives them plenty of ammunition to make a competitive offer.
It’s the kind of move that fits Oakland’s current timeline perfectly – not a long-term commitment, but enough talent to make a difference if everything clicks. And if Lowe can recapture that first-half form from 2024, the Athletics could end up with one of the steals of the offseason.
