Baseball Musings: Lowell Stays Put

November 19, 2007

Lowell Stays Put

The AP reports Mike Lowell agreed to a three-year deal with the Red Sox.

The third baseman and the Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $37.5 million, three-year contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Frankly, I'm very surprised no team even tried to outbid Boston and New York for the services of Rodriguez and Lowell. I don't usually buy into the collusion rhetoric put out by the MLBPA, but this is just strange. With A-Rod off the market, you'd think teams would be very interested in Mike. Either they've all come to their senses in terms of money, or something shady is going on. I can understand not wanting to offer Mike a fourth year, but $40 million for three years with the growth in the game's revenue isn't outrageous. I'm glad for Lowell because he appeared to want to stay in Boston, I'm just very surprised at the lack of bidding going on at the hot corner this winter.

Posted by David Pinto at 04:26 PM | Free Agents | TrackBack (0)

Comments

Maybe he was willing to take a hometown discount, and the other bidding teams didn't bid high enough to overcome that...

Posted by: Mike at November 19, 2007 04:38 PM

If he took a hometown discount I hope he got a no-trade clause.

Posted by: Basura at November 19, 2007 05:09 PM

I'm not sure other teams could. Besides just the salary, it's hard to compete (at least in A-Rod's case) with the money he can make doing local endorsements and commercials.

Posted by: JeremyR at November 19, 2007 05:16 PM

i dont think the red sox allow no-trade clauses in their contracts. i think one or more of their superstars has it in their contract that they automatically receive a no-trade clause if a teammate receives one.

Posted by: ballfanCO at November 19, 2007 05:58 PM

Too bad Bronson Arroyo didn't ask for a no-trade clause, he took a hometown discount and they traded him.

Posted by: Basura at November 19, 2007 08:21 PM

According to Buster Olney, the Phillies offered the same annual value but tacked on an extra year, making it 4/$50MM. Boston gave him the same yearly salary but one less year.

Posted by: the other josh at November 19, 2007 08:30 PM

I wonder if this deal has vesting options or incentives? Even still, Lowell put his money where his mouth was on this one. Hard to believe he passed on a fourth year. The Red Sox have been the beneficiaries of two hometown discounts this year, which is not something you saw under prior management.

I liked it better when the Sox front office was clueless:)

Posted by: JeremyM at November 19, 2007 08:57 PM

I wouldn't just dismiss collusion. It's not like the owners haven't done it before... over and over again.

Posted by: NBarnes at November 19, 2007 09:45 PM

It is very possible that other teams made a better offer but not better enough to make Mike move from the World Champions to an also ran team. I doubt that collusion played a part. Why would the other GMs want to help the Red Sox? The Sox are poised to make another great run next year. Maybe it is just the case that Schilling and Lowell want to play for the Boston Red Sox. Glad to have Mike back. Go Red Sox

Posted by: emains at November 19, 2007 09:59 PM

Decision-makers realize his value outside of Fenway,Citizens and MinuteMaid is dicey.He moves like an old 33 too.The Sox might do well here but I don't think it's a lock.

Posted by: Kippy at November 19, 2007 09:59 PM

Hard to see much collusion- how much more than $12.5 would anyone practically offer - I don't think there were that many viable options for Lowell - except Phila would have seemed to be one of them - I also agree that many of these guys would be better off signing shorter and going back to the market - I think Lowell also sees his value as being greater to a pitching/defense team than a no pitching team (NYY, Phil).

Posted by: Bandit at November 20, 2007 09:03 AM

Philly was also voted the Ugliest City in America...

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSSAT25368720071022

Posted by: Chris at November 24, 2007 11:38 AM