From Extra Bases:
According to sources involved in the negotiations, there might be one more attempt made before midnight to hash out a deal between the Sox and Mike Lowell. After midnight the exclusive window the Sox have had with Lowell ends and he becomes a free-agent.
It doesn’t mean Lowell is 100 percent gone if the sides can’t reach an agreement in the next few hours, but it certainly gives Lowell and the Sox a chance to seek a free-agent deal with another team and/or player.
The Red Sox have reportedly offered Lowell a three-year deal, but Lowell, according to sources familiar with the talks are pining for four years. The Sox have extended themselves more than they thought they would in offering three years, but it’s evident to the Lowell side that four years at $13 or $14 million per year is attainable in the free-agent market.
Stay tuned folks. From the sounds of this, it doesn’t look good right now.
I’m scared…really really scared. The Red Sox have to get this done! Losing Lowell will be terrible. His talent and veteran leadership are huge for this team. Plus whos playin 3rd next year? Gotta give up prospects for Cabrera? Sign a crappy 3B (please dont sign Arod), or move gold glover YOUK to his weaker position and sign a 1B. I don’t want to think about that. Just give him a 4th year! Maybe an option or something…anything to keep him. Sox let Pedro walk…that hurt but he went to the Mets…come on you know your all happy that happened? Damon was just a jerk and a huge traitor. But, this will be awful to lose Lowell. Can they win without him? Definitely. But, the chances are a lot better with him. Come on Theo! Listen to your fans and your team! SIGN MIKE LOWELL!!!
I am worried too. It’s strange only because Lowell said he would take a three year deal all along and now he wants the fourth year because that’s what the market is dictating. I am hoping they come up with something before midnight because I don’t want to see him on the open market.
Ok lets look at this logically. Losing Lowell wontbe looked at favorably but it also wont be terrible. He had a career year and he hit 100 pts higher at Fenway then he did on the road he also had twice as many HRs and RBI at home vs on the road. That being said we all know Lowell is not a .300 hitter much less a .320 hitter. are you willing to shell out $14 or $15 million a season for .280 20 90? for christ sakes you already have JD Drew. Will he be missed yes he will but there are plenty of veteran leaders there, guys who were there before him, guys who learned from him. Two years ago there wasn’t a Sox fan alive who wanted him included in the Beckett deal and were wondering how much they’d have to pay him to release him. Now everybody wants the team to pay him $60 million.
Cabrera is 24 years old. repeat after me 24 years old and averages .313 31 118 in a park that is not very condusive to right handed hitters. Lowell is obviousy a much better fielder but like Manny Ramirez, Cabrera will give you more than he costs you.
I seriously doubt they would moveYoukilis to 3B, I think that’s a last option deal or maybe just for a year. The SoxetPedro walk and I dont see anyone complaining now. Same with Millar, Damon, Mueller, Bellhorn, Loretta, etc. Think what you will of Johnny Damon but if you were offered a job by a competitor company in your chose field or 30% more a year you aren’t saying no either.
I’d like to see Lowell come back but I’m gonna say Going, going, going………….
Here’s two players career post season numbers one guy gets villified,the other guy is a hero.
Lowell .278 4 HR 20 RBI 8 2B 11 BB 12 K .348 OBP .485 Slg.
Rodriguez .279 7 HR 17 RBI 9 2B 17 BB 38 K .361 OBP .483 Slg.
I just think if he goes that Theo has a plan and it goes beyong A-Rod.
Posada Off the Market » Crooked Pitch // Nov 12, 2007 at 11:14 pm
[...] the Red Sox follow suit and give Mike Lowell the fourth year and get this thing over [...]
I would be very surprised if the Sox gave Lowell the 4th year, and they shouldn’t at 15. I could go with 4 at 52 (13) but would he take that if he could get 60? Would you? He will get the 4 and 15 from somebody. And he should take it. Love the guy. Want him back. But he’s gotta do what’s right for his family. And so do the Sox. Him leaving does open up uniform #25 for Bonds (PSYCH!) but in all seriousness, there are enough options out there at 3b for the Sox to get something done. Also, agree with everyone that if Lowell does go, he bombs in other parks. He’s tailor made for Fenway, hits a lot of short pops to left that are doubles at Fenway, outs everywhere else. Plus, the Sox have all the pieces in place to keep winning over the course of the next 4 years. So what’s more important? $8M or a strong legacy and a couple more rings??
So what’s more important? $8M or a strong legacy and a couple more rings??
First it’s going to be way more that $8 million because I’d say it looks like there is no way the Sox are giving four years. Their 3 year offer is for $12 million a year. There’s way too much money to be left on the table. If he were to do that I can assure you he does it against the advice of his agents and that doesn’t happen often.
I’d say the money is more important the way it’s looking. Going, going, going……..