Lowell Still On The Block

Why is Mikey Lowell still on the block? He has played fairly well this Spring, and would suit the Sox very well as a replacement for Adrian Beltre at 3B or as a left handed specialist DH, stepping in for Big Papi. It is being reported that the Sox are still shopping the 3B/1B/DH, and the Rangers are still interested. The last time the Sox and Rangers had a deal in place, Boston paid 9 of the 12 million owed to Lowell. If they do this type of deal, it will hurt the team and be financially irresponsible.

Anytime you have a player that can still hit like Mike Lowell, there is some obvious value. I understand he can't run and doesn't have great range, but the man can still swing a stick. Giving him away, like they did with their last deal with Texas, is just ludicrous. Boston is a better team with Lowell on the bench, as he provides much needed offensive depth on a team that is going to struggle to put up runs like they have in years past.

The Sox are looking to dump his ridiculous salary as well. That being said, they are going to have to pay upwards of 9 million dollars for him to play elsewhere. Is this ridiculous or am I just getting my boxers in a knot for nothing? Anytime a deal makes you lose a decent player, as well as a buttload of money, I think it can be considered a bad move.

The Red Sox hands are not tied by having Mike Lowell on their roster. On the flip side, I think they actually need Lowell to win. If the front office would open up their eyes, I think they would realize the same thing.

Big Papi Back? I Think Not

Big Papi went yard for the 1st time this Spring (2nd if you count the game against BC). Does this mean Big Papi is turning it around? We hope so, however it has been ugly for Papi this Spring. He certainly looks similart to his start last year. On the Spring, David Ortiz is hitting a robust .143, 3-21 with only 1 extra base hit, the homer this afternoon.

I know it is only Spring Training, but is anybody nervous that Ortiz has started off so pathetically? He says not to worry, but he also told the Sox brass that he wanted more at-bats this Spring. If he is asking for more at-bats, don't you think it is because he doesn't feel comfortable at the dish? And if he doesn't feel comfortable in the batters box, and he can't hit halfway through the Spring, what makes you think that he will be able to turn it around during the regular season?

It is simply a matter of deductive reasoning. From what Papi has said, and from what we have seen, why should we have any faith in him starting the season well?

Mike Lowell also made his debut today, and went 1-2. I think the Red Sox are actually pleased that they still have the former World Series MVP on their roster. Not only will he be able to give Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Beltre the occasional day off, but he will be able to spell Ortiz when he is not playing well. Lowell can't run, but neither can Ortiz. Lowell can hit, and it seems like Papi can't. If I put my deductive reasoning skills to work again, I can assume that Lowell will get a lot more playing time than anybody previously expected.

Lowell Physical This Weekend

I think the Rangers should just ask Mike Lowell to run around the bases once. Then they will see that he is physically unable to move. Instead, they are probably going to perform the routine turn your head and cough physical this weekend. If Lowell passes the physical, he will be on his way to Texas, paid for by the Red Sox. Boston will pay 9 million of his 12 million dollar contract, and in return they will get the Rangers 9th best prospect. 9th. I don't know if Lowell should be sent away for a team's 9th best prospect. Especially when making this moves means Youk has to shift to 3rd and Casey Kotchman gets the nod at 1st base. On a side note, Ramirez would probably have been #4 on the Rangers catchers' depth chart. How come they are deeper at catching than at pitching?

Lowell Could Be Traded, Told Ya So

The Boston Red Sox are seeking an alternative home for 3B Mikey Lowell. Chone "Call Me Sean" Figgins is still out on the market, and the Sox could make an interesting play at him. That would take care of 3B, then the Sox would still need to do something to shore up left field. Mikey Lowell can't run anymore, and is only productive when on the field. Problem is, he is rarely on the field.

Apparently the Sox are willing to pick up half of Lowell's contract, which would require them to pay over $6.75 million to get rid of him. Another solution would be to keep Lowell, make him split time with David Ortiz at DH, and then go after Figgins and a left fielder.

Either way, the Sox look awful on the left side of the diamond right now. There are no 'real' players at 3B, SS and LF. That being said, the Yankees will probably sign Hideki Matsui & Johnny Damon, thus their left side would look like: Arod, Jeter, and the two left fielders. Who do you give the edge to? At least the Patriots are going to win it all.