Reds & Rays
Submitted by: mp2891
Reds
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Lowe | 28 | Majors | OF | Low | 3 | 21.6 | 14.5 | 7.1 | 5.7 | 7.1 | 8.5 | |
| Gary Gill Hill | 21 | Minors | SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.6 | 10.9 | 13.6 | 16.3 |
Total Value:
20.7
Rays
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt McLain | 26 | Majors | 2B | 4 | 38.5 | 22.4 | 16.2 | 12.9 | 16.2 | 19.4 | ||
| Luke Holman | 23 | Minors | SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.9 | ||
| Tristan Smith | 23 | Minors | SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 |
Total Value:
20.4
Comments
3
This trade involves two rebound candidates, Josh Lowe who has battled oblique injuries the past two years and Matt McClain who missed all of 2024. Lowe is the riskier bet, so the Rays include their top pitching prospect from the start of the year (GGH) and the Reds throw in some lesser pitching prospects to round out the deal.
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I like it. The Rays don't need a corner outfielder with potential but in arbitration. They need a middle infielder. Meanwhile, the Reds have a second baseman play an outfield in Gavin Lux. I think it's much more likely The Reds would demand one of our first basemen than a far-off pitching prospect, but maybe they're good with Spencer Steer. Steamer thinks McLian is a two win second baseman next year. This seems like an easy yes to me from the Rays perspective, even though I hate how we constantly give up pitchers to supplement offense.
Yeah, looking at the Reds outfield situation and it seems like Lowe would be a good fit for them. The Melton trade seems like the final nail in Lowe’s coffin with the Rays. I think he’s traded before OD. I also think it’s the final nail on the Rays 2026 season because only Josh is capable of producing a 3 WAR season primarily with the bat. The rest of the Rays outfield is 100 wRC+ or below.