Brandon Lowe plays for the Tampa Bay Rays; Licensed by CC 2.0
Major League Baseball has a monumental offseason coming up, with all eyes on the free agent class.With names like Juan Soto, Corbin Burns, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso and Max Fried, who can blame most front offices for that they try to sink their teeth into options that cost them nothing but cool and heavy cash.However, trade talk is as common as, if not more than, free agent talk.Young ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have been traded to just about every team you can think of. in the national media.However, let’s take a second to discuss some of the more underrated names that could end up on another team starting in March 2025 via trade.
Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher
Jerry Dipoto works in mysterious ways. After acquiring Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 as the Mariners push for a postseason berth in 20 years, Dipoto finds himself on the other end of that deal just two and a half years later.
Castillo has been amazing so far in his time as a Mariner.When first acquired at the 2022 deadline, he went 4-2 with a 3.17 ERA and tossed a Game 1 win against the Blue Jays seasons, Castillo went 14-9 while posting a 3.34 and 3.64 in 2024 (despite an 11-12 record).
What’s holding the Mariners back is their anemic offense that developed in 2023 and 2024. It was an offense that some might say cost them postseason berths from one of their hands in their elite starting rotation, but usually the bait names are Logan Gilbert, Brian Wu or Bryce Miller. Castillo’s name has never been mentioned in the area, not until recently.
In theory, it makes sense for Castillo to be the guy to move since he’ll likely be out of his prime the fastest compared to the rest of the young guys. However, Castillo is still capable of a few good seasons of production, which is enough. hopefully giving the Mariners the net offense package they should have.
While Dipoto has currently thrown cold water on the idea of ​​them trading Castillo, Jerry loves nothing more than a trade, so you can never really rule anything out are great at-bats at both the major and minor league levels.Who’s to say Castillo can’t be the one with them? combine a high-profile free agency acquisition to completely overhaul their starting rotation. The Diamondbacks could also be an intriguing option, as they led baseball in various offensive categories and still missed the postseason. Perhaps they could save some of their offensive fire In front of Seattle’s firepower.
With the Mariners’ need for offense becoming so desperate, don’t be surprised if Castillo becomes the piece moved to fill that void.
Tampa Bay Rays Second Baseman
The Rays have always operated in a farm-like fashion. They develop young prospects, platoon options, and “lost causes” into effective MLB players and pitchers, and continue to trade them for other teams to reap their prime. getting paid for future prospects This year is no different with the likes of Yandy Diaz and Pete Fairbanks consistently talked about in the trade market. an option that is drawing much more interest is 30-year-old Brandon Lowe.
Second baseman Ray from 2018 and showing potential in a limited role, he shined in his 2021 campaign. Injuries plagued Lowe the following season in 2022, limiting him to just 8 HR in 65 games.However, since then, it looks like you can lock in Lowe with 20 HR, 50-60 RBI, and a .770- With a .780 overall OPS range (assuming his health cooperates), this is an efficient, left-handed bat that is right there for the taking and will make a reasonable $10.5 million in 2025. With Jose Caballero on the rise and Carson Williams on the way, Lowe looks less likely to open the season with Tampa Bay.
The question then becomes, where does Lowe land? Any team could use his type of production to contribute to the offense. The aforementioned Seattle Mariners certainly wouldn’t mind having him in their lineup after Jorge Polanco’s poor performance last season. The shortstop at Yankee Stadium could be quite handy as New York looks to replace Gleyber Torres. While Jose Iglesias has been unreal, Lowe could be a good option if Iglesias can’t repeat his form in 2024. The Giants currently have no proven second basemen on their roster, so perhaps San Francisco could make some sense as well.
If Lowe were to end up elsewhere, he should be a key contributor, assuming his health doesn’t hinder him. There aren’t many teams that wouldn’t at least consider drafting him.
First baseman/designated hitter for the San Diego Padres
It’s not often, maybe not ever, that a title holder in a fight has been traded three times in that span, and yet Luis Araes could very well move. again. Acquired from the Marlins in May 2024 (after being traded from Minnesota to Miami the previous season), Aares pitched very well for the Padres and was a key cog in their run to the NLCS, where they just came up short against LA.
The Padres are by no means ruining it by potentially moving Arraez, as they will continue to be a competitive team for years to come, and will likely be a constant thorn in the side of the Dodgers. However, following the unfortunate death of former owner Peter Seidler, the Padres- The team’s budget has become much less flexible, and with Arraez valued at $13.7 million in 2025, that may be a luxury San Diego doesn’t have. can afford.
Aarees has more than earned that payout, as he hit at least a .310 average from 2022-2024 (including 2023, where he hit .354), but his defensive shortcomings will likely hinder the budget-minded Padres. not keeping him around, especially with the variety of middle infield talent on the team and in the farm system.
This will once again put Arraez on the move. Probably slated for a DH/1B type role, there aren’t as many fits for Arraez as one might think. could be the perfect jump-starter for their struggling offense, and have the first base slot after Ty France goes down and waives for good Anthony Rizzo’s positional play, as well as the leadoff hitter provided by Gleyber Torres. How about the Houston Astros. They’ve been struggling to produce from the first base position for several seasons and have been burned by older free agent acquisitions like Jose Abreu. : Maybe they want to pick Arrees as a surefire talent as opposed to taking a free agent flier because their budget isn’t the strongest either.
If Arraez ends up getting a deal, he’ll be a pure weapon for the lineup he’s been in. His flaws are there defensively, but when you can consistently hit above .300, that’s a sacrifice you’re willing to make. It will be interesting to see who bites the bullet to bring Arrez on board.
