2 trade targets, 1 free agent NY Mets fans might rather see at 2B than Jeff McNeil

Brandon Lowe is the power bat the Mets need

Donovan provides a contact-focused approach, but Brandon Lowe would give the Mets another middle-of-the-order slugger. Lowe is also an infielder the Mets reportedly had interest in during this year’s trade deadline. The Tampa Bay Rays never seem to have any player who is untouchable in trade talks, so it might be time for the Mets to reopen the book on a Lowe trade.

Lowe finished off the year batting .256/.307/.477 with a .334 wOBA, and 114 wRC+. He hit 30+ home runs for the second time in his career, with 31 dingers, while putting up a .221 ISO. His 91.1 MPH exit velocity was tied for the highest mark among second basemen, and his 12.9% barrel rate trailed just Jazz Chisholm and Ketel Marte. The downside is Lowe’s plate discipline. He only walked at a 6.9% rate with a 32.1% chase rate, both of which are career-worst. His 26.9% K% fell in line with his career-average, but still wasn’t great. If the Mets want another power bat, Lowe is the guy, as only Marcus Semien and Jose Altuve have more home runs among second basemen since Lowe’s 2019 rookie season.

If the Mets acquired Lowe, they would probably need to have someone as a defensive replacement. Lowe’s 2025 season was his worst when it came to defense. He had -14 DRS and -13 OAA. His previous career low in both stats was -7 and -5, respectively, both of which came in 2021. He was the only 2B with double-digit negative OAA. Only five total players had less than -10 OAA and DRS this season as well. 

Lowe is owed $11.5 million, as his player option is guaranteed to get picked up. That is also the last year of control he has left. However, if the Mets want to add yet another big-time power threat to their already powerful line-up that was fifth in home runs among all 30 MLB teams, Lowe would be the best option when it comes to trade.