Red Sox, Lowell Agree on Contract
Boston third baseman, Series MVP will stay with Sox
World Series Most Valuable Player Mike Lowell is poised to sign a three-year, $37.5 million deal to remain the third baseman of the Boston Red Sox.
Lowell’s agents are busy working out the final details of the contract with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, and the agreement virtually ensures that the world champion Sox will be able to keep their starting lineup intact.
A number of published reports including ESPN.com indicted that Lowell received more lucrative offers from several other Major League clubs, specifically the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. ESPN reported that the Phillies offered Lowell a four-year deal worth $50 million.
But, like free agent pitcher – and incumbent Red Sox – Curt Schilling, Lowell apparently opted to rejoin the Red Sox, giving them a hometown discount. Schilling re-signed with Boston earlier this month for a base salary of $8 million after turning down offers for as much as $20 million per year.
Schilling had high praise for Lowell on his blog Monday, writing, “How cool is that? Leaving years and dollars on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff … Congrats to Mike and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ectstatic.”
Lowell logged a career year in Boston during the 2007 season, hitting .324 and knocking in 120 runs, a Red Sox record for third basemen. The 33-year-old veteran ballplayer also hit .400 in the World Series which the Sox swept from the Colorado Rockies.
According to Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox told Lowell’s agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, that the club's three-year offer would remain on the table until Monday. Red Sox management reportedly was concerned about lining up a replacement should the talks linger on much longer. The free agent market this off-season is thin, experts say. McAdams reports that, after talking it over with his family during the weekend, Lowell decided to remain with Boston.
Lowell has become a clubhouse leader, and widely respected by teammates and fans alike. Outfielder Manny Ramirez and catcher Jason Varitek – the team captain – had joined Schilling in lobbying the club to re-sign the third baseman.
Boston has also picked up the options on veteran hurlers Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez. Besides Lowell and Schilling two other Sox players on their Major League roster have declared for free agency – backup catcher Doug Mirabelli and relief pitcher Mike Timlin. Lowell will become the third big-name player in this off-season to agree to a hometown discount, as long-time Braves lefthander Tom Glavine re-signed with Atlanta on Monday after a five year hiatus with the New York Mets.
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