*Prediction*
Nathaniel Lowe should be on the San Diego Padres’ radar in MLB free agency as a veteran bat who can help balance one of the Padres’ most pressing offensive needs.
As the Padres enter the 2026 offseason looking to improve their lineup and compete in the NL West, adding proven hitters remains a priority. After finishing the 2025 season with a .252 team batting average and only 152 home runs, San Diego still needs right-handed power to complement stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill.
The Padres’ offense ranked in the lower third of the league in homers and slugging percentage, indicating there is room for improvement in run production. With other clubs jockeying for premier free agents, San Diego must identify value signings who can contribute without breaking the bank.
Nathaniel Lowe fits that description as a lefty-power bat who could fill a corner infield or first base role. A move for Lowe could also signal to fans and opponents that the Padres are serious about maximizing their offensive potential in 2026 and beyond.
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Nathaniel Lowe, age 30, enters free agency after a winding 2025 season split between the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox. After signing a one-year, $10.3 million contract with Washington in early 2025 via arbitration, his performance was inconsistent, leading to his release and a subsequent stint in Boston.
Across the full season, Lowe hit .228 with 18 home runs and 84 RBIs in 153 games, and he posted a .689 OPS, numbers that show he still has offensive capability but also room for improvement. Often a disciplined hitter with good power in previous seasons, Lowe has a career batting average near .263 with 105 home runs and nearly 400 RBIs over seven MLB seasons.
While 2025 was a down year statistically, his earlier track record suggests he could rebound with the right opportunity.
The Padres’ 2025 lineup showed flashes of strength at the top but still lacked consistent power depth from the bottom third of the order. San Diego finished the season with a .252 batting average and produced only 152 home runs as a team, ranking near the bottom of the league in long balls and slugging percentage.
Their positional core includes elite talents like Tatis Jr., Merrill, Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth, but adding another impactful bat—especially one who can hit for average and drive in runs—is crucial for postseason aspirations.
Nathaniel Lowe offers the Padres a versatile offensive option. Known for his ability to work counts and hit over the short porch in many ballparks, he could thrive in Petco Park in a more consistent role.
San Diego can leverage his left-handed power against right-handed pitching, alleviating some of the offensive pressure on righty hitters like Tatis Jr. and Machado. A one- or two-year contract with a moderate salary would allow the Padres to balance payroll flexibility with lineup enhancement.
Ultimately, signing Nathaniel Lowe in free agency would give the Padres another experienced bat capable of boosting run production and lineup balance. Given San Diego’s offensive profile in 2025 and its ambition to compete for an NL title, Lowe represents a smart, cost-effective addition that aligns with the club’s needs and aspirations.