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Odds And Ends: Lowell, Vazquez, Tazawa

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 22, 2008 at 10:46am CST]

Links for Saturday...

Ken Rosenthal comes up with a few possible suitors for Mike Lowell if the Red Sox sign Mark Teixeira. He lists the Dodgers, White Sox, Tigers and Brewers as possible fits.
Nick Piecoro likes Ramon Vazquez as a fit for the D-Backs.
Highly coveted Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa pitched a complete game shutout in Osaka, walking no one and striking out 10.
John Van Benschoten will move on from the Pirates and try to sign with another team.
Luke Hudson will also leave his old club, moving on from the Royals instead of accepting an assignment to AAA.
Bobby Crosby is out of the loop amid the rumors swirling about Rafael Furcal.
Mike Scarr takes a look at the market for middle infielders.

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Comments

I've also heard about Lowell heading to Philadelphia in exchange for a young arm, possibly Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Carrasco, or JA Happ. Could be a good fit now that Feliz has had back surgery and may be slow in coming back. Also, a late-innings defensive replacement at 1B for Ryan Howard is a must. I see him stepping into that role very well. He has also played a few games at 2B, which would be a huge asset, now that Utley is on the shelf until possibly June. Too bad he's never played LF. He'd fill in for Pat Burrell's departure very well in that lineup.

Posted by: Tilbrouck | November 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM

If a team gave up any legitimate prospects for Lowell they should be "checked-in."

Posted by: The Juice | November 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM

If the Chisox and Boston we're actually discussing a Lugo/Vazquez swap, I'd imagine a similar deal could be on the table for Lowell.

Bottom line, if Lowell is moved, Boston isn't getting anything but salary relief and a spot on the 25 man in return.

Posted by: Kenan and Kel | November 22, 2008 at 12:54 PM

It'd be nice if they can do to Lowell what they did with Crisp. Platoon Lowell with Youkilis and wait for his trade value to increase. I'm sure if Lowell can prove that his leg is fine, we can deal him off at the deadline at a higher value than we do now.

Posted by: SierraM | November 22, 2008 at 01:15 PM

The Phillies should ONLY offer Kendrick or Happ... AND add Eaton as a must to even out the salaries... Carasco is not worth an injured, aging Lowell...

Posted by: FyreKnight | November 22, 2008 at 01:23 PM

The DBacks should NOT sign Vazquez.

Why not trade for Russ Adams? He's 4 years younger, and would be a lot better on grass than on turf.

Posted by: Stegolego7 | November 22, 2008 at 02:42 PM

Lowell to the Sox at 24 mil over two years is much better than paying Javy 23 mil over the next 2 years. Lowell could be that filler the Sox need if Dayan Viciedo needs time to develop on the minors. A great defensive third basemen that has been pretty consistent with the bat, with the exception of his .234 mark with Florida in 2005. Javy is useless for this team. His 4th or 5th starter status is easily replaceable with the young pitchers in the farm system.

If we could do a Javy for Lowell straight up I think it should be done!

Posted by: Tough | November 22, 2008 at 02:58 PM

And I would also like to mention that way back in 1992 the White Sox drafted Lowell, he declined and 3 years later was drafted by the evil empire

Posted by: Tough | November 22, 2008 at 03:09 PM

No way he goes to chicago. With the addition of Viciedo the sox do not need him. They have Fields and Dayan and judging by the short list of Cubans in the MLB, Cubans are ready to play right away. Dayan will beat out Josh Fields in the end of spring training. I smell a Swisher situation all over again if the CHI Sox and BO Sox make that deal. They also have Wilson Betitmit and Jason Nix.

Posted by: streetzathon | November 22, 2008 at 03:24 PM

I really don't think Lowell is a type of player the White Sox are interested in.

They're trying to get younger and more athletic (and cut a bit of salary too) so why would they get an aging slugger with a big salary like Lowell?

The Sox (not red) have 2 holes to fill - assuming a two of Fields/Viciedo/Betemit platoon is in the works at 3B - Second base and CF (or maybe LF) and in both situations they're looking for top of the order contact hitters with speed.

If Vazquez or Dye gets dealt, it won't be for Lowell.

Posted by: Cold Golden Falstaff | November 22, 2008 at 04:29 PM

>>No way he goes to chicago. With the addition of Viciedo the sox do not need him. They have Fields and Dayan and judging by the short list of Cubans in the MLB, Cubans are ready to play right away.<<

Lowell will only be good for a couple years, and the new Cuban kid is only 19 with no track record. It actually sounds smart to let Lowell cover the gap until the kid is ready to take the job. And since there's always the chance he eats his way to first base Lowell might come in even handier...

Posted by: Cris E | November 22, 2008 at 06:37 PM

Let the marlins take lowell back. we need defense so badly. Marlins were last in defense with the amount of errors they got

Posted by: marlinsforlife | November 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM

Viciedo is NOT ready to contribute. Cuban baseball is at the level of AA. He is just like any other top prospect who's made it to AA/AAA.

Dayan Viciedo is NOT a reason for the Sox not to go after Lowell.

Posted by: melonis rex | November 22, 2008 at 07:14 PM

According to a Chicago newspaper Viciedo has poor work ethic. I think it will be good for him to get a season or 2 to develop and learn from Mike Lowell, a gold glove veteran.

This also gives the Sox a chance to extend him, after his second season, rather than letting him go during the prime part of his career.

Lowell to the Sox sounds good to me but Texeria to the Red Sox needs to happen first and perhaps the pitching free agents too.

Posted by: Tough | November 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM

ChiCitySox,

just because Ramirez worked out doesn't mean Viciedo will.

Oh and the Phils CAN'T give up Carrasco for Lowell. He's coming off an injury and if Tex signs with Boston, the Sox won't have anywhere to play him. I'd offer Happ and Savery and see what they counter with. I'm also having second thoughts about giving up Donald for him too.

Posted by: philsWSchamps | November 22, 2008 at 09:39 PM

Why offer anything?

Lowell was paid slightly below market last year as a FA. He had a worse year in 08 and is coming off major hip problems. He has negative value and unless he returns to 07 form the value will remain negative.

If the Red Sox can trade him and not eat $4m-6m I will be seriously impressed. If I were bidding on Lowell it would start at no prospects and the Sox eating half of the contract.

Posted by: bjsguess | November 22, 2008 at 10:13 PM

ChiCity Sox,

haha. Every GM has trades that work out that well. Yes Kenny has fleeced us lately but Floyd was our version of Aaron Heilman (solid player with no possibility of succeeding with us). Not thrilled that we threw in Gio Gonzalez though. He could be very good.

But every GM also has trades/signings that DON'T work out.

See Carlos Lee for Posednik, Vizcaino and PTBNL, ya i know you ended up winning a WS and that's the ultimate goal and Posednik was key for that, but considering how Lee has developed he may want that one back.

Damaso Marte for Rob Mackowiack?

El Duque, Vizcaino and an unproven Chris Young for Vazquez? Young would like nice in your outfield.

More often than not Williams has done very well, but that doesn't guarantee anything.

Posted by: philsWSchamps | November 23, 2008 at 08:54 AM

Way to state the obvious there slick.
Carlos Lee was a joke in Chicago and NO ONE cared that we traded him. He obviously did hit better in the NL because well, it is the National League.
Lee was probably another Juicer anyway.
And Young had one solid year with some 30 HR's. What has he done since? hit .250 Nice.

thats great brian anderson is the man isnt he?

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | November 23, 2008 at 03:18 PM

This wouldn't happen but WHAT IF the Red Sox did this:

DODGERS GET: MIKE LOWELL, MANNY DELCARMEN, PROSPECTS..

RED SOX GET: RUSSEL MARTIN

What do you guys think...?

Posted by: redsoxbaseball | November 23, 2008 at 07:32 PM

ChiCitySox,

my point before you become even more obnoxious is that even the best GM's make mistakes. There is no guarantee to this signing's success.

And I love your excuse, "he was probably a juicer". Nice to just be able to throw that around with no proof. What the White Sox couldn't supply him with any "juice"?

And while you all continue to make fun of the National League remember now that 2 of the last three world championships have come from that "inferior" league. Heck without the Red Sox the AL would pretty much SUCK right now, no?

Posted by: philsWSchamps | November 24, 2008 at 06:35 AM

"This wouldn't happen but WHAT IF the Red Sox did this:

DODGERS GET: MIKE LOWELL, MANNY DELCARMEN, PROSPECTS..

RED SOX GET: RUSSEL MARTIN

What do you guys think...?"

Why give up that much for Martin? He's good, but not worth Lowell, Delcarmen, and prospects.

The Sox have a legitimate chance to give up someone for a Ranger catcher like Salty, or Teagarden. I'll take one of those young players and keep Varitek for a small amount of money and only one or two years to be their mentor.

Posted by: FiskVaritek | November 24, 2008 at 09:08 AM

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Odds And Ends: Lowell, Vazquez, Tazawa

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