Mike Lowell has thought about asking the Red Sox for his release, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com and various other reporters. The Red Sox will be paying most of Lowell's $12MM salary regardless of what the next few weeks bring, but it's time to consider some possible landing spots for the 36-year-old in case Boston trades or releases him. First, let's take stock of Lowell and what he can be expected to contribute.
After offseason thumb surgery and a knee contusion in Spring Training, Lowell's health is far from certain, especially at his age. He posted a .290/.337/.474 line last year and has hit .263/.354/.404 in 65 plate appearances so far in 2010. With one homer and eight walks, his power appears to be waning, but he's still getting on base. As for his defense, Lowell has played just 32 innings at third so far this year. Last year, he posted a UZR/150 of -14.4, which suggests he was – and probably remains – a defensive liability.
The Rangers pursued Lowell last winter, before concerns about his thumb put the deal on hold. With Vladimir Guerrero and Michael Young around, the Rangers appear set at DH and third. First baseman Justin Smoak should hit and Chris Davis and Ryan Garko are around, too, so the Rangers don't seem likely to pursue Lowell again. The Marlins were another rumored destination over the winter, but that was before Gaby Sanchez had proven he could hit in the major leagues.
Earlier in the month, a friend of Lowell's told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Lowell would like to play for the Twins or Angels. The Twins are starting light-hitting Nick Punto, but Punto's a much more reliable choice on defense, according to UZR. Angels third baseman Brandon Wood has endured one of the slowest starts in the majors, so the Halos are one potential match.
Other possible suitors include the Mariners who need offense (but not more fading veterans) and the Orioles, who have no home runs from their first basemen. Lowell seems to fit best in the American League, where he can DH, but there don't appear to be starting jobs out there for him, unless the Orioles or Angels decide they need production now.
Would be nice if the Tigers got Lowell, but he’ll probably end up with the Twins and the Tigers will again finish 2nd to the Twins in the AL Central. That’s ok, 2nd place = #1 loser!
I wonder what all those fans who were cheering re-sign Lowell after the World Series are saying now?
“I wonder what all those fans who were cheering re-sign Lowell after the World Series are saying now?”
That they would like the team to keep him around because he can still hit?
That they would have been fine with him being our starting 3rd baseman this year instead of Beltre?
That they will be sad to see him go after all he’s done for our team?
Perhaps if the Red Sox trade for Berkman, the Astros could take back the burden of Lowell’s contract as a way to get better prospects. However, maybe the Red Sox don’t need Berkman anymore if Ortiz is waking up.
They would be better off if they could get someone to play INF off the bench other than Bill Hall.
The Angels will not trade for Mike Lowell.
Do the O’s need production for what? Are they dying to be in 4th place?
LOL, yeah, that list of teams includes head-scratchers (the Orioles and then the Mariner’s are 14-24 and in last place) and it leaves out some teams that are in the post-season mix and could use an upgrade at 3B and a backup 1B (Detroit).
Maybe the A’s could use him as a DH?
The Red Sox don’t deserve Mikey.
He’d be a good fit with the White Sox
Great point, the White Sox weren’t mentioned but would be a good fit. Kotsay is abysmal at DH. They aren’t giving up yet as they hope that their pitching will shape up to be as good as expected, Danks being the only starter who has pitched as well as they thought he would (arguably Freddy too).
So I could see them taking on a bit of Lowell’s salary and giving up a low grade prospect for him.
I know that this may not make sense; but the best suitor for Lowell in my opinion are the New York Yankees. It doesn’t make sense only because it would hurt directly to the Red Sox; but taking that fact away, with the issues the Yankees have now with their DH spot on the lineup; i think Lowell fits excellent…
No, no, and no.
If Boston was to do something drastic and release him right now, the NYY would be one of the 1st teams to call him with the DH position in flux and Glass man Johnson supposedly coming back sometime in July, though with him, that is always in doubt.
Wait, I thought that Brandon Wood was supposed to hit “30-35 bombs”.
Maybe they meant Jager Bombs?
Haha. Nice.
I didn’t see a lot of projections guessing that Wood would hit 30-35 HR’s THIS SEASON. It’s not all that common for any rookie to hit that many bombs.
I did think that a 250 avg with 20-25 HR’s was reasonable. But he has shown nothing to suggest that a line like that will be possible this year.
The only thing that has kept me reasonably sane is the complete meltdown on the part of Figgins. Wood has been awful, but he’s playing for league minimum. It’s a little easier to swallow.
Figgy’s slumping. No doubt about that. But he’s definitely not going to hit 200 for the next 4 years. He’ll come out of it soon.
What are the chances Lowell just retires?
He has 12 million (maybe 9 million remaining) reasons not to.
He has already stated publically that he is planning to retire after this season so I would say there is a decent chance assuming he’s not traded or released/picked up by another team.
If it’s the Yankees so be it-it would be nice for him to finish his career with the team that drafted him. If to the Yanks –they pay his full salary or we pay but get a decent prospect. Lowell as full-time DH could bring another quality guy to the bombers.
I don’t see the O’s although Camden Yard would be a nice field for him to hit in.
I could see him being moved this week to the Twins while they are at Fenway for Punto. OR Brandan Wood even up with the Sox eating all of Mike’s salary. Work Wood in as a super sub–he’s talented but not producing for the Angel’s needs. The Sox could move both Lowell and Bill Hall for either Punto or Wood.
I honestly see Lowell as being a side piece in a deal for Cliff Lee. The deal would also include DiceK plus 1 high level prospect (Reddick, Kalish, Anderson? Just some names off the top of my head) or make it Lowell plus Buchholz plus 1 lower level prospect. Regardless, Seattle gets away with 2-3 years of a solid stick at DH/1B bc Kotchman is struggling, plus a pitcher (Dice would do well in Seattle).
I don’t think the M’s would go for that. You wouldn’t be giving up any prospects in that deal and would actually be having the M’s take on more salary by throwing in DiceK and Lowell (two guys that are way past their prime).
i would like to see him come to the White Sox and take some at-bats away from Carlos Quentin and Teahen…maybe get a platoon goin of lowell at third and quentin as DH against lefties and teahen at third and lowell dhing…all this while the outfield stays as pierre in left, rios in center, and jones in right with the occasional spelling from quentin at the corners