World Series MVP Mike Lowell and leader of the bullpen pirates Mike Timlin both filed for free agency today.The Red Sox will still be able to negotiate exclusively with Lowell and Timlin until November 12th.
Both have stated that they want to return to the Red Sox next season although with Timlin being 42 at the start of next season, odds are he would be offered a 1 year deal. He did prove he can still pitch with his performance in Game 4 of the World Series.
Lowell is at that age (34) where the Red Sox don’t like to make long-term deals. Lowell is probably in the market for a 4 year deal but I think he would accept a 3 year deal with an option for a fourth.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has stated that it’s the teams’ top priority to get Lowell re-signed.
 “With respect to third basemen, signing Mike is our clear priority,†Epstein said. “We’re going to work hard at that and really hope to get something done. I hope this doesn’t come to pass, but if he eventually signs somewhere else, then we’ll explore other options, but really, right now, we’re focused on trying to sign Mike.â€
I guess that means if Lowell signs somewhere else, we might have to go after *gulp* Alex Rodriguez. That is if he hasn’t signed for a billion dollars somewhere else like maybe the Dodgers.
