While much of the baseball world had its eyes locked on Kyle Tucker’s blockbuster move to the Dodgers, the other team in Los Angeles was quietly making a move of its own - one that could have big implications for their outfield and their rebuild. The Angels pulled off a rare three-team trade to land outfielder Josh Lowe, a high-upside, high-risk addition who brings both intrigue and uncertainty to Anaheim.
At first glance, this is the kind of move that makes you sit up and take notice. Lowe isn’t just a throw-in or a depth piece - he’s a player who, when healthy, flashes the tools of a legitimate everyday contributor.
In his first full season with the Rays, Lowe slashed .292/.335/.500, showing off a blend of speed, pop, and athleticism that made Tampa Bay believers think they had something special. He’s got the physical profile teams dream about: left-handed bat, gap power that can turn into home run power, and the ability to cover ground in the outfield.
But the key phrase there is “when healthy.” And that’s where this deal gets complicated for the Angels.
Lowe’s injury history is already starting to stack up, and it’s not the kind you can easily ignore. In 2024 alone, he dealt with oblique strains, a hip issue, and hamstring problems - all of which limited his availability and raised questions about his durability moving forward. For a franchise that just moved on from Anthony Rendon and his never-ending string of health setbacks, bringing in another player with a medical file thicker than a scouting report might feel like déjà vu.
Now, let’s be clear: Lowe is no Rendon. He’s younger, cheaper, and by all accounts, fully committed to the game.
Whereas Rendon’s passion for baseball was called into question more than once - especially as his injuries piled up and his comments to the media grew increasingly apathetic - Lowe brings a different energy. He’s still hungry, still trying to prove himself, and still just entering his arbitration years.
In fact, he’s set to make just $2.6 million in 2026 - a far cry from the massive contract the Angels just shed with Rendon.
That’s a big part of what makes this trade a calculated gamble rather than a reckless one. The Angels aren’t tying up long-term money in Lowe.
If he stays healthy and performs, they’ve added a dynamic piece to their lineup at a bargain price. If he doesn’t, they haven’t mortgaged the future.
The arms they gave up in the deal weren’t viewed as foundational to their long-term plans, and Lowe isn’t locked in beyond this season.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the broader context. The Angels are already walking a tightrope with their roster construction, especially with Mike Trout’s health becoming more of a concern each year. They’re banking on a lot of “ifs” to break their way in 2026, and adding another injury-prone player to the mix only raises the degree of difficulty.
But if Lowe can stay on the field? If he can recapture the form he showed in Tampa?
This could be one of those under-the-radar moves that pays off in a big way. He has the tools.
He has the opportunity. Now it’s just a matter of whether he can stay healthy enough to put it all together in Anaheim.
For the Angels, it’s a bet worth making - but it’s a bet all the same.