MLB Offseason Buzz: Astros Explore Meyers Trade, Raysโฃ Weigh Lowe’s Future
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As of December 1, 2025, several MLB teams are actively engaged in trade discussions, with theโ Houston Astros potentially โmoving outfielder Jake Meyers and the Tampa Bay Rays considering options for second baseman Brandon Lowe. These moves signal an early shift โin the offseason landscape as clubs assess their rosters ahead of the 2026โค season.
The Astros, coming off Meyers’ offensive betterment in 2025, โare reportedly open too trading him for a controllable major-league starting pitcher. Multiple teams are showing interest in the 29-year-old,who is projected to earn $3.5 million in arbitration during his final two โyears ofโ team control, according to MLB Trade Rumors. MLB Trade Rumors indicates this could be a pivotal moment for both the Astros and Meyers.
Center Field Market Heating Up
Severalโ teams are seeking upgrades in center field, including the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Tampa Bay Rays. The Baltimore Orioles,Arizona Diamondbacks,and Kansas City Royals are also reportedly in the market. Meyers is highly regarded for his defensiveโค abilities, but Houston may explore alternatives โฃlike Zach Cole and Jacob Melton if they doubt his ability to maintain his recent offensive success.
Did You Know?
Jake Meyers’ .292 battingโ average and .727 OPS in 2025 represented a significant โjump from his previous four seasons, where he batted .228 with a .662 OPS.
| Player | Team | Position | Projected 2026 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Meyers | Houston Astros | Center Field | $3.5M |
| Brandon Lowe | Tampa Bay Rays | Second Base | $11.5M |
Rays Contemplate Lowe Trade
The Tampa Bay Rays โare seriously considering trading second โฃbaseman Brandon Lowe,who is set to earn $11.5 million in the final year of hisโฃ contract. The Pittsburgh Pirates, actively seeking left-handed hitters, appear to be a strong potential suitor. Theโ Athletics and San Franciscoโข Giants are also exploringโค options at second base.
Trading Lowe would create a void at second base for the Rays,with no clear internalโ replacement readily โคavailable. Carson Williams and Taylor Walls may lack sufficient offensive firepowerโ as a double-play combination, and Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson have limited experience โat the position.
Lowe has been a valuable asset for the Rays,hitting 31 home runs in 2025 and boasting a career OPS+ 23โ percent above league average. His 157 career home runs rank third in Rays โhistory, trailing only Evan Longoria (261) and Carlos Pena (163).
pro Tip:
teams often delay major roster upgrades until late November and December as they navigate coaching staffโค transitions and fill โinternal positions.
Marlins’ Coaching Losses Signal Positive trend
The Miami Marlins’ improvement from 62 wins in 2024โ to 79 in 2025 has attracted โattention from other organizations, resulting โขin the loss of three major-league coaches. Assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon joined the chicago White Sox as their hitting coach, first base coach Tyler Smarslok became the washington Nationals’ field coordinator, and โcatching coach Joe Singley โคmoved to the Baltimore Orioles as field coordinator and catching coach. This turnover in coaching staff, extending to theโข minor leagues, is contributing to a relatively quiet free-agent and trade market in November as teams prioritize filling internal vacancies.
“One way to measure whether the industry is impressed by an organization’s evolution is by counting the number of major-league coaches that organization loses to other clubs.”
What impact โwill these potential trades โhave on the competitive balance of the league?
How will the Rays addressโฃ the potential โlossโฃ of Lowe’s offensive production?
MLB Offseason Trends
The MLB offseason typically begins shortly after the conclusion of the World โขSeries, with teams evaluatingโฃ their rosters and identifying areas for improvement. Trade rumors and free-agentโฃ signings often dominate the headlines during this period. Arbitration-eligible players, like โMeyers, play aโค significant role in team budgeting and trade considerations. Teamsโ with expiring contracts,such as Lowe,are frequently enough subject to trade discussions as other โclubsโ seek โฃto add talent without long-termโ financial commitments. The loss of coaches to other โขorganizations is increasingly viewed as a positive sign for a team’s advancement and organizational strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is arbitration in MLB?
Arbitration is a process used to determine the salary of players who are โฃnot yet eligible for free agency. Players andโ teams submit salary requests, and an arbitrator makes a binding decision.
Why are the Astros considering trading Jake Meyers?
The Astros are exploring a tradeโฃ for Meyers โto potentially acquire a controllable starting pitcher, especially if they areโ unsure โขabout his ability to replicate his 2025 offensive performance.
What are the Rays’ options if they trade Brandon Lowe?
The Rays face challenges in replacing Lowe, as their internal options at second base lack sufficient โคexperience or offensive production.
What doesโ it mean for a team toโ lose coaches to other organizations?
Losing coaches to other teams is generally seen as a positive sign, indicating that the organization is developing talented staff members who are highly sought after.
How does a player’s OPS+ affect their trade value?
OPS+ (On-Base Plus Slugging, adjusted for park factors and league average) is a key statistic used to evaluate a player’s offensive performance. A higher OPS+ generally increases a player’s trade value.
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