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I would assume this offer was made before the A-Rod deal, that's the only way it makes sense to me. They wanted Lowell to split time at 1B to get Betemit some work at 3B and to spell Giambi at 1B. It wouldn't make sense to get Lowell for full time 1B, he wouldn't hit near enough in NY for that contract and that position.

This is from mlbtraderumors.com

"The uncredited rumor says a source close to Lowell indicates that he's received four-year offers in the $55-60MM range from the Braves, Angels, Cardinals, and Yankees.

GM Frank Wren debunked the Braves portion today. Esteemed St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Bernie Miklasz killed the Cardinals portion last night. The Boston Herald's Rob Bradford shot down the Angels rumor.

So we have an uncredited rumor that is currently 0 for 3.

A different Boston TV station, WBZ, said today that the Yanks did make an offer in the $56-60MM range to Lowell today (courtesy of Dan Roche). That could be accurate but I would like to see some of the regular Yankees beat writers pick it up also."

Personally, I would rather trade Damon than Melky. The idea of Damon in center makes me wants to vomit in terror.

There's no reason for the Yankees not to think they can get something out of Giambi. Remember, it was just one year ago that he had a beastly year (.253/.413/.558, with 37 HR and 113 RBI).

Picking up Lowell might just be a way to stick it to the Sox, but while I wouldn't mind having him, I think the current composition of the team -- with Giambi not able to play first every day and Damon and Matsui needing to DH -- makes it tough to fit him onto the squad.

With Giambi, Duncan, Betemit, Phillips and maybe even Miranda and Eric Duncan around (the last one is but a dream of mine) first base will surely work itself out.

I just saw an ad on craigslist for a power-hitting first baseman who won't be a hole in the defense, isn't connected to BALCO and will actually be a legitimate threat. It's surprising given all the first baseman in this league we have yet to truly solve our 1B problem since Tino left (the first time).

If true, more evidence that Hank and Ca$hman have lost their minds. As if further proof were needed.

Don,

I often disagree with your views re: Torre. But this is something you're spot-on about (in my opinion). These outrageously over-the-top contract offers to aging vets (and yes, A-Rod IS an aging vet) is myopic at best - cataclysmic at worst. True, we have no evidence as to whether or not the Yanks are bidding against themselves, but I'm just curious: Whatever happened to a "younger, more athletic, more versatile roster," Cash?

I realize how naive this must sound to most of you guys, but I for one was looking forward to rooting for an underdog this coming season and was completely at ease with sacrificing '08 to have a possibly great team in '09 and beyond. It still could happen, I guess. We'll just have to see.

How exactly does signing A-Rod at third and Lowell at first impact the team's ability to get "younger, more athletic, more versatile"? They don't have "younger, more athletic, more versatile" alternatives at either of those positions. True, Andy Phillips and Wilson Betemit are younger than both of those guys; they're also both awful players. You guys are obviously part of that weird cult that wants the Yankees to field a team of scrappy, marginal Triple A players every year so you can feel good about yourselves as the team goes 79-83. Hint: the Yankees are not the '84 Mets. Never will be. Get over it.

The middle ground between Tex Antoine and BrockDC is that the offer to Lowell makes no sense regardless of whether or not there are younger or better options available. With A-Rod back, the Yanks are returing the exact same lineup as the 2006 and 2007 teams that led the majors in runs scored. Why would they feel the need to fill 1st base with a 3rd baseman? Why would they feel the need to offer Lowell that kind of money at all? Lowell was supposed to be the Plan B to A-Rod's Plan A. A guy that may not find Yankee Stadium hospitable to his batting style for four years to play out of position, where defense isn't even the absolute premium it is in other parts of the infield? Cash and Hal truly have lost their minds with this offer (if true).

Trading Melky to have Damon in CF leaves the team with the second-worst defensive outfield in the division (I think Baltimore's is worse, but it's close). Didn't we learn enough last year to know that Damon is a better LF than Matsui and that Melky is a better CF than Damon? Does any Yankee fan really want to see them blow another $55M on a guy like Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand for five years?

Hal is running the team like his dad did in the 80s. So much for ushering in a new era of not being the drunken sailors on shore leave with a pocket full of cash.

I'll believe it when I see it. This could be a whole lot of posturing to boost the price up on the Sox. Nothing wrong with doing that, is there?

Before we compare him to his dad in the 80's we should wait and see if Hank forces Cashman to trade Joba for someone like John Smoltz.

Look,when the Yankees needed a third baseman ,I was all for Lowell...but now?How many first baseman do they have:Giambi,Phillips,Benemit,and potentially Posada?C'mon,I think Lowell is a good player but that need is fufilled at third base,the Yankees need to add other pieces to the puzzle.The question is, are the inmates still running the asylum?

Tex,

I watched this team stink it up in the late-80's/early 90s because they were signing every Mike Easler and Ron Kittle they could find to unmanageable contracts. And so my greatest fear is that the Yankees are regressing back into that sort of mentality.

I'm not an idealogue - I'm not one of those individuals who thinks they can win with a roster stocked with Miggy Cairos and Andy Phillipses.I understand that Posada, Mo, A-rod, and Lowell are special players who probably make the Yankees more competetive in the short term, as those players fill current holes on the team. My main concerns are that:

A. The length and price of these contract offers seems to FAR exceed the current market price.

B. Long-term deals for aging players carry a high degree of risk (A-Rod)

C. I'm damn sick and tired of "sunk costs" and "eating salaries." There must be a more efficacious way to equip a team for a long, prosperous run.

totally agree Steve. i was actually looking forward to a Betemit/Shelley platoon at 1b. but no! god forbid we have two under-30s guys (making minimal money) manning a position. they both have a lot of power potential, i hope we get a chance to see it. i was also looking forward to a mid-season promotion of Juan Miranda to the big club. that would allow betemit to move back to UIF.

has no one in the FO looked at Lowell's splits?! i've gotta believe Cash is smarter than this. if this shit does happen, along with the Arod albatross deal, Cash is going to drop a LOT in my eyes. how can he be so smart with the young'ins/drafts and trades, yet so dumb with the megadeal contracts for over 30 players?!

They are in on Lowell to get the Sox to go to that 4th yr.

And if Lowell goes to LA or Philly then Boston has a big hole at 3b and in their lineup.

They'd have to overpay for a bad 3b or trade big time arms for Cabrera or move Youklis from his Gold Glove 1b position to 3b.