Nathaniel Lowe will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season. Joe Nicholson-Imagn ImagesAug. 3, 2026 Updated 6:18 pm EDTThe Cincinnati Reds on Monday agreed to trade first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Cleveland Guardians for 19-year-old pitching prospect Alejandro Rivera, a team source who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a deal that hasn’t been announced told The Athletic.The Reds signed Lowe to a minor-league deal at the start of spring training, hoping the 31-year-old could provide some competition at both first base and designated hitter. With rookie Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suárez claiming those spots, Lowe made the team primarily as a left-handed bench bat, a new role for a player who won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove during his time with the Texas Rangers.His playing time increased once starting third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and Suárez went on the IL, moving Stewart to third and opening up a slot for Lowe at first. Lowe’s playing time decreased when Suárez returned to the active roster in June.This is the second straight summer when Lowe will switch teams. Lowe began the 2025 season with the Washington Nationals and was signed by the Boston Red Sox in mid-August after he was DFA’d by the Nats.This story will be updated.Aug 3, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms