The Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their outfield by acquiring Josh Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade involving the Cincinnati Reds. The deal, announced on Friday, sends left-hander Brock Burke from the Angels to the Reds, while the Rays receive infielder Gavin Lux and minor league right-hander Chris Clark. This move addresses the Angels' need for a left-handed hitting outfielder.
In a strategic offseason maneuver, the Los Angeles Angels upgraded their outfield on Friday through a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. The Angels received outfielder Josh Lowe, a left-handed hitter who turns 28 in February and was selected by the Rays in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Lowe, who has primarily played right field but has experience in center and left, provides versatility amid the Angels' search for a center fielder.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition during a Zoom call with reporters. “We really like Josh Lowe,” Minasian said. “We think he’s got a chance to be an impact player. He’s done it in the past. He’s obviously had a couple of up-and-down seasons with injuries, but he’s a player we believe can play all three [outfield spots]. He’s been very productive against right-handed pitching, and we’re very right-handed as a club. So, the opportunity to acquire a player like this at his age and the years left [on his contract] made a ton of sense.”
Lowe's career statistics highlight his potential against right-handers, where he hits .266 with a .772 OPS over five major league seasons, compared to .181 and .504 OPS versus lefties. His standout 2023 campaign with the Rays saw him bat .292 with a .835 OPS, including 20 home runs, 33 doubles, 83 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases in 135 games. However, injuries have hampered recent performance: oblique and hamstring issues in 2024, followed by a right oblique strain in his first game of the subsequent season that sidelined him until May 15, limiting him to .220 with a .650 OPS, 11 homers, and 40 RBIs in 108 games.
In exchange, the Angels parted with left-handed reliever Brock Burke, who signed a one-year, $2.325 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration. Burke excelled in the Angels' bullpen last season, posting a 3.36 ERA in 69 games with 52 strikeouts and 18 walks over 61 2/3 innings. His departure creates a bullpen vacancy, which Minasian indicated could be addressed internally or through further moves. “We’re still active in the free-agent market, and there’s still dialogue on the trade market,” he said. “We’d still like to improve our offense,” Minasian added, signaling ongoing efforts to enhance the lineup before spring training.
The Rays, meanwhile, gained infielder Gavin Lux from the Reds and minor league right-hander Chris Clark from the Angels, potentially strengthening their infield depth.