Advertisement

Brandon Lowe said impact of big-bucks deal with Rays hasn’t hit him yet

Lowe on Wednesday signed an extension that guarantees $24M over 6 years, could be worth $49M over 8.
 
Brandon Lowe has lots of reasons to smile now. [TAILYR IRVINE | Times]
Brandon Lowe has lots of reasons to smile now. [TAILYR IRVINE | Times]
Published March 21, 2019

Rays infielder/outfielder Brandon Lowe said the impact of his new $24-million guaranteed deal hasn’t really hit him, that today was "just another day at the ballpark.''

He did say he got lots of texts from old and new buddies, had a great talk with his dad, and lots of support from his wife.

To celebrate, he took spring roommates Mac James and Ryan Boldt out to dinner Wednesday night to the Plaza de Mexico restaurant in Port Charlotte. The Lowes are close to completing purchase of a house in St. Pete, though that was already planned.

Lowe said he knows he will be teased about the contract, even some offseason workout partners already reaching out to say they are looking forward to a big dinner out. And, indeed, one coach yelled during ground ball drills, "Did it hit your wallet?

Lowe, who makes $1 million this year, also said “the first time a big paycheck hits the bank, I think it will knock me on my seat a little bit,” but it doesn’t change how hard he works or what his goals are.

RELATED: Snell aside, Rays invest in future with Lowe deal

Rays manager Kevin Cash said it was “pretty exciting” to see Lowe rewarded by the team, especially with his limited time in the majors.

"We talked about it this spring and even in the offseason how valuable he is, what he showed defensively was really impressive, but with the bat after his 0-for-19 (start), it didn’t derail him, he kept doing his thing,'' Cash said. "It’s nice to know we’ve got part of, what we’d consider a core piece going forward kind of locked up.''

Cash was asked if there was now pressure on him to keep Lowe, who played just 43 games in the majors, in the lineup.

"There was never pressure on me to play him,'' Cash said. "He was playing. He was definitely playing.''