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Astros Urged to Trade for Former MVP Finalist as Jose Altuve Replacement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 12:01 PM ET

Houston Astros games look quite different thus far with Brendan Rogers, not perennial All-Star Jose Altuve, manning second base.

Barring anything unexpected, don’t plan on seeing Altuve shift from left field back to second for any potential playoff run. However, that doesn’t mean Rodgers is automatically guaranteed to hold down second through the season’s final pitch.

What could the Astros do at second base if they don’t intend to start Altuve or Rodgers? ESPN’s David Schoenfield proposed earlier this week that the Astros pursue Tampa Bay Rays veteran Brandon Lowe.

Lowe, who turns 31 in July, entered play Wednesday hitting .234 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and a .610 OPS across 81 plate appearances. It’s been a slow start for Lowe, who is worth 0.2 bWAR despite a .610 OPS and no doubles or triples.

However, the Rays hold an $11.5 million team option on the 2019 All-Star. Lowe could fetch considerable interest on the open market, especially if the 9-14 Rays don’t turn things around amid their latest potential transitional period.

Lowe offers pop, having homered at least 21 times in three of the last four seasons; he mashed a career-high 39 homers in 2021, the second-most of any player in club history. The versatile Lowe placed eighth in MVP voting during the shortened 2020 season and finished 10th in his 39-homer campaign.

Conversely, Rodgers is hitting .244 with three doubles, seven RBI, and a .651 OPS. Although the 2022 Gold Glove winner has played shortstop in the past, he’s exclusively played second or DH over the last four years.

Lowe might not turn heads, and his diminished power is cause for concern. However, he checks plenty of boxes for the Astros, both on the field and financially.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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