If the White Sox look for a bargain free agent at first base, keep an eye on the recently non-tendered Nathaniel Lowe.
First base is an obvious need for the Chicago White Sox this winter — that much has been clear for months. The team has already begun its due diligence on a few names that seem like perfect fits.
Chicago has been in contact with the representatives for Ryan O’Hearn, and the organization has had scouts in attendance to evaluate Japanese stars Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami.
But any White Sox fan would tell you that, as things currently stand, there isn’t much optimism the club will actually convert on any of those signings. We’d all love to give them the benefit of the doubt — but we can’t. Not with their spending habits over the last few offseasons.
So Sox fans should start preparing themselves for the possibility that this winter is another one filled with short-term deals and underwhelming additions. The front office may once again prioritize bargains over the most talented players available.
And if Chicago ends up looking for a cheaper option at first base, don’t sleep on Nathaniel Lowe.
Lowe began his career with the Tampa Bay Rays before becoming the everyday first baseman with the Texas Rangers. He won a Silver Slugger Award in 2022, followed it up with a Gold Glove in 2023, and played a key role in helping Texas win the World Series. His .762 OPS in Texas was his lowest across multiple seasons while averaging more than 550 at-bats per year. He was dependable, durable, and consistently productive — even without prototypical first-base power.
His 27 home runs in 2022 remain a career high, but that’s the only time he has reached the 20-homer mark. Lowe struggled in 2025 in Washington, posting the worst numbers of his career before being released in mid-August. He signed with the Boston Red Sox shortly after and helped fuel their playoff push over the final six weeks with much stronger production.
Even though he worked his season OPS back toward league average by season's end, Lowe still finished hitting just .228 with a .307 on-base percentage — both uncharacteristically low numbers for him. He did, however, set a career-best with 84 RBIs.
Boston non-tendered Lowe on Friday, choosing to avoid an arbitration process that was projected to pay him around $13.5 million. Now, he’s a free agent and free to sign with any team. He won’t come close to that arbitration projection on the open market.
Maybe it’s a one-year deal in the $6–7 million range. Maybe there’s a second year or a club option attached. Lowe is still only 30 years old, meaning he shouldn’t be aging out of his prime just yet. There could still be a handful of good seasons left in him.
A contract like that would be significantly cheaper than pursuing Murakami, O’Hearn, or Okamoto. Lowe brings a left-handed bat and typically strong defense at first base. What you’ll get offensively is anyone’s guess — but that’s the gamble the Sox would be making.
It’s not my favorite signing. It wouldn’t excite fans the way adding O’Hearn or Murakami would. But if the White Sox choose to go cheap for yet another winter, Nathaniel Lowe might be the realistic fit nobody wants to admit.