The Dodgers have invited 22 non-roster players to spring training, including veteran reliever Mark Lowe, whom they signed to a minor league deal (names here via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, on Twitter). Left-hander Manny Banuelos, who was in serious talks with the Dodgers back in November, is also among those on the list.
The right-handed Lowe failed to crack the majors a year ago, instead dividing the season between the Triple-A affiliates of the Mariners and White Sox. The 34-year-old struggled across 48 2/3 innings at the minors’ highest level, with a 6.66 ERA and 8.0 K/9 against 4.3 BB/9. It was the second straight rough year for Lowe, whom the Tigers released last March after a 2016 campaign in which his velocity dropped and he recorded a 7.11 ERA, 8.94 K/9, 3.83 BB/9 and a 36.6 percent groundball rate over 49 1/3 frames. Even though they cut Lowe, the Tigers still had to pay his $5.5MM salary to close out the two-year, $11MM pact they awarded him in December 2015.
Lowe was excellent as recently as ’15 with Seattle and Toronto, which led to his sizable payday during the ensuing offseason, as he combined for career bests in ERA (1.96) and K/9 (9.98) across 55 innings. Lowe hasn’t been particularly consistent since debuting in the majors in 2006, however, as he has posted subpar production in several campaigns. All told, though, Lowe’s output has been passable – despite a below-average grounder rate (39.8 percent), he has registered a 4.22 ERA, 8.21 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 385 2/3 innings with six MLB teams.
decent pickup
You can’t be serious
He is a loser. Wasn’t impressed with him when he played for the Jays.
schleg, you should have told the dodgers that when they asked for your opinion
I’m sure you also weren’t impressed with Morrow on the Jays because he sucked. Not saying that Lowe will be good or even make the roster but LA has a recent history of turning castaway RP’s into valuable pieces.
LA also has a history of stockpiling mediocre relievers like cordwood and sticking with them way too long. The difference between Lowe and Morrow is Morrow’s history actually provided some hope that he could be good. Lowe’s doesn’t. He basically had half a good season once and stunk for the other 9.5 years of his career. This is why he looks like the new Chris Hatcher.
As a nice veteran presence for AAA, why not?
just as Micheal responded I am amazed that any body able to get paid $4334 in 4 weeks on the internet
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Oh man this is a new LOWE
He’s only 34? Wow…
U r funny where r major signings
Not everyday you can sign a Future Hall of Famer to a minor league contract. Good luck in LA, Manny.
This isn’t even a good try
Lowe is destined to be this year’s Chris Hatcher.
He turned back into a pumpkin after the jays got him
Garbage reliever. The Dodgers really need this kind of depth? I doubt it. The guy parlayed 1 decent season into a two year deal with the Tigers.