Mike Lowell Traded To Rangers, Pending Medicals
by 0157H7 on Dec 13, 2009 12:53 PM EST
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PrintUPDATE, 12/13 @ 12:53 pm: Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe writes that the deal is being held up by Mike Lowell's right thumb, which the Rangers are still examining; they feel his right hip is healthy. Abraham confirms the money going to Texas would be $9 million.
UPDATE, 12/11 @ 9:18 am: Rob Bradford writes that it could be 2-3 days before the deal is consummated. The money going to Texas appears to be $9 million (of Lowell's $12 million salary).
According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to trade Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers for the catching prospect Max Ramirez. Money issues have been resolved, but the deal could still go south if Lowell doesn't clear the Rangers' medical evaluation. No word on the amount Texas is getting.
Feel free to freak out in the comments.
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love it.
Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
Is this anything more official than it was last night?
’Cause if not, Randy has you beat by about a mile.
USG
It seems quite a bit more official now. It’ll be sad to see him go, he was a huge part of this team and a champion. It will be really interesting to see what happens now. Crap… Now I have to go out and get a new Sox shirt for my mother this Christmas since last year’s gift is a Ranger.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
It's MORE official, at least
The money problems have been solved. Apparently.
SB Nation's Boston Red Sox community:
OverTheMonster.com
Follow Randy on Twitter: @RCBooth
Good luck Mike
Except when you come back to play the Sox at Fenway.
He’s been huge, I think the Sox will be ever grateful for what he’s done.
Now when is that Beltre contract I want getting announced???
A once-dominant offensive player whose production has fallen dramatically since hitting AAA. While he’s always had pretty good patience, managing BB rates over 10% even in his down year in ‘09, he’s also struck out pretty consistently, with the problem spiking last year. He’s had poor results in very limited time at the MLB. He’s flashed a good power bat in previous years. Some of Ramirez’ troubles may have to do with a wrist injury last year. If he heals up well and displays his old hitting stroke, he could be a surprisingly big get.
Ramirez has traditionally gotten a good deal of flak for his defense behind the plate, but his reputation has softened of late with reports of more average defense. Still, he’s not gonna throw a ton of guys out or win Gold Gloves—well, those are pretty unrepresentative of actual skill anyways, but eh.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 10, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
so maybe he will get a gold glove then...
just sayin.
Looks to me (and from what I’ve read over on the rangers site) that they think this year was mostly down due to injury, so hopefully he’ll perk up again. Those 2008 are pretty amazing. If he picks up this year I wouldn’t mind having him try out being our backup catcher the second half of the year or sooner depending on how Tek does…
tek really shouldn't even get a chance
Any one of our top catching prospects would challenge his .215 average.
by revived0103 on Dec 10, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
well if in backup
he doesn’t get worn down and can duplicate his first half performance, lets get our moneys worth out of him. Assuming Ramirez is coming and is back to 2008 form, I’d love to have him as backup for the second half or so, but other than that the only one who’s ready to come up is probably Dusty Brown, and I probably wouldn’t release Tek over him.
at least brown is younger,
and as i recall has a good glove. tek has really no reason to keep playing.
by revived0103 on Dec 10, 2009 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
This. Could be helpful late in games.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Dec 11, 2009 5:52 AM EST up reply actions
yeah he would
but do you think he’s ready for MLB? I feel like he has too much potential to rush him up to be a backup.
Ramirez should be in AAA at least until September.
He got rushed to the majors earlier. Should make sure he has ample opportunity to adjust.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 10, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
my god that was a quick response
And i don’t mind stocking up on catching prospects. I’d love to see one of them this year take over backup duties.
by revived0103 on Dec 10, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Copied and pasted my response from last night's Lowell topic
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 10, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
ah
thought you were the stephen hawking of prospects.
by revived0103 on Dec 10, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions
Very simply
The concern with Ramirez is that he is very unlikely to be able to stick at the MLB level as a C and his bat might be to slow to be an everyday DH. His lack of athleticism will keep him out of the OF.
Combine that with the fact that he is pretty short and he may end up being a DH that does not have enough in his bat to be above replacement level at DH.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
We have no LF or 3B
but I heard there is some guy named Ben Buchanan out there who is willing to play for the minimum in this bridge season.
Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
Put me in LF.
I took AP Physics. I know how that stuff works.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Dec 10, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
B or C...?
Yes, it does matter.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Dec 11, 2009 5:53 AM EST up reply actions
Not to all
Until this move is OFFICIAL, we will not have any analysis on Lowell or MaxRam…
SB Nation's Boston Red Sox community:
OverTheMonster.com
Follow Randy on Twitter: @RCBooth
*Note to all
SB Nation's Boston Red Sox community:
OverTheMonster.com
Follow Randy on Twitter: @RCBooth
Go for it
I just don’t want to write anything up with “oh, not gonna’ happen.”
SB Nation's Boston Red Sox community:
OverTheMonster.com
Follow Randy on Twitter: @RCBooth
by Randy Booth on Dec 10, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
This doesn't look good at the moment DH-wise
A Lowell-Ortiz DH platoon would have been valuable to the Sox, not to mention the versatility of having Lowell as a back-up 3B. (I’m already assuming 3B will be worked out with someone else starting). So we’ll save $3M and get a below-average-in-AAA Catcher. Is that worth having Ortiz batting against a lefty RP in the 8th and 9th innings?
Off topic: Three Ramirezes and counting. Two of the popular Ramon pitching variety alone!
we can't waste two roster spots on DH's who aren't fielding
he doesn’t have the versatility to be a general back up IF, plus he’s said in the past that he would rather be traded than be a bench player.
Good point re: what he said about not wanting to be a bench player...
but I’m not sure if you’re “wasting” 2 roster spots on DH’s when they’re of the quality of Ortiz and Lowell. After all, if we don’t get Bay or Holliday, we’re already talking about using two roster spots on LF, the next least important fielding position, especially in close LF-fence Fenway Park.
no we aren't
Do you mean Hermida? He’s not a career left fielder. He’s played more games in Right than anywhere else. He’s a decent backup because he can play both (albeit not that well…). He’s more likely to have to step in for Drew in 2010 than anyone else.
I think it is a waste because we have limited versatility slots- would we take Lowell instead of a backup 1B? If he can’t field well, he doesn’t provide any depth, because only 1 of Ortiz and Lowell could play a day.
well we will have a bench with which to pinch hit
same as we’ve always done.
by revived0103 on Dec 10, 2009 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Love ya Mik
but you had to go. Your health is to big of a question and your just to far up there in age. I’m really hoping we can still make a trade for someone like Miguel Cabera, but if not signing Andian Beltre will do. Along with signing Bay in both scenarios.
Good luck Mikey
You were a class act.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
Point of Interest
His real name is Maximiliano according to the minor league page on baseball reference.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
Maximiliano, Tug, and Boof this offseason alone!
Is there an award for getting the most players with awesome names? Perhaps an extra draft pick or something?
I didn't like the old one very much. I didn't see the ball there very well. - Julio Lugo on the old Yankees Stadium.
Yes, you get a supplemental 50th round pick for having the team with the best name
Use that pick well!
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 11, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Joe .......
I’m sad to see Mikey leave …
Let’s just sign Joe Mauer! Vmart @ 1st and Youk @ 3rd!!
Mauers not gonna happen
He’ll either resign with Minnesota or Theo won’t bite the bullet and pull out the big guns to get him, I wish we could get him too but I don’t see it happening
....
Ya it’ll never happen .. but would be awesome!!!!
Bye Varitek......
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
Getting rid of more deadwood
I said a year ago that tour guys were hurting the team more than it helping it, should be dealt, even if it meant swallowing the present contract money. Unfortunately, they all stayed and they either sucked or were injured half of the time: LUGO, VARITEK, ORTIZ and LOWELL. Well, the Sox are finally getting it. Now, just take another loss and get a legitimate DH and we’ll be on our way to possible championships again. As for WAKEFIELD, I’m glad I didn’t include him because he had a great half year. That’s the only problem with Tim; he can’t pitch after July anymore, so it might be a good idea to pick up Lackey or someone we can count on for the whole season.
Yes, Mikie is a great guy and will be missed……but more in the clubhouse than on the field as injuries and age have caught up to him. Texas is getting a class act. By the way, the Sox wouldn’t be making this trade if they didn’t feel confident they had third base covered for next season. Our main concern is left field if Bay leaves. Meanwhile, we’ll suffer another season of Big Poopie striking out with the bases loaded eight million more times.
yes we can get Lackey to back up Wake
now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go swim in my money pool.
We're eating 9mil??
Yeesh…it’d almost be worth saying @#$% it and keeping him on the roster for the sake of 3 mil.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
I'm with you Bloggy
I don’t like that we had to eat so much of his contract. If we sign Beltre, we do improve the team, but we’ll be paying 3B almost $20MM next year between him and Lowell. Mikey isn’t so bad that we have to move him at all costs and eat his salary. This isn’t Milton Bradley.
At this point Lowell is a sunk cost
Yes, we’ll have a lot tied up in the POSITION, but not whatever player we get to replace him, try and at least think of it that way.
Beltre won’t get $12million for next year, not even with Boras as his agent, so at least we’ll be paying Beltre or whoever less than what we’d pay Lowell next year. That’s how I try and think of it anyway.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 11, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I agree with that logic
Except, for the sake of $3MM, it might make sense to keep him on in case we need him and then DFA him if we have to. What if Ortiz goes down and we need a good DH? What if there’s a hundred OTHER what ifs? We need a warm body at third? Beltre or whoever doesn’t pan out…his range might be decreased but he knows the position and may have increased mobility if he’s healed up a bit more.
The Marlins sent him to us as a rider because they thought he was done…and they were clearly wrong. Maybe we are, too. Or , at least to the extent that we are willing to eat 9,000,000 dollars to move him.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
i think keeping him around to sit on the bench until we DFA him
is just disrespectful for all he’s done for Boston. He wants to play every day, and we don’t have a definite use for him. $9 Million is a surprising lot. Hopefully Ramirez will be able to net us something good…
I agree...
…it’s just that 9 million. That’s an awful lot to limit our options.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
it really does
though I guess the way this years market seems to be going, I’m not too surprised no one would take him for $6 mill. Just not too much demand out there right now. I was kinda surprised the Phillies didn’t want him, he seemed like a perfect fit, but I guess they probably figured we wouldn’t pay to trade him if we thought he could play 3rd competently.
Ah well. Honestly, I like this team a lot right now as is. Obviously Bay/Holliday/Cameron would be ideal for the OF but I wouldn’t really even be upset if we tried out a Hermida/someone else platoon (except there seems to be no one available who can hit lefties!)
It is, but with Lowell's defensive and injury concerns there just wasn't a market for him
And Theo thinks the chance to do something on the corners is this year, not next year.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 11, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
At this point, the roster spot is more important than the money
Keeping Lowell on the roster to sit on the bench and platoon DH or whatever is the real pain versus putting a body in there that can do more to create wins.
plus don't discount the favor to Lowell
of moving him to a team that will give him more playing time. I don think that factored into this.
most definitely
partly because i think the FO respects what lowell has done for the team and partly because you don’t want one of your clubhouse leaders to be angry and upset all year
that or no one else wanted Lowell
and the team knows that they have to act quickly to get Beltre
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Please let this deal go through
Because after 2 years of wishing he wasn’t on the club, if he ends up not getting flipped I’m gonna lose it. Anyone else at 3b ’10!
http://www.virtualfenway.com
I don't get it
Why trade Lowell NOW? The more I think about this deal, the less sense it makes. Lowell was a good player for the team in 2009, and he will be another year removed from the major surgery. He will be motivated to have a good 2010 season as he will be in a “walk” year. Sure, he is on the back 9 of his career, but at 36 I bet he wants to play a few more years. The Sox struggled for offensive production in 2009, and now Lowell and Bay are gone. All this for what? A mid-level, older prospect? Better to keep Lowell, he will be fine and take the draft picks when he walks.
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