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November 13, 2007
What To Offer Mike Lowell?
Mike Lowell is now on the open market. The Yankees want to talk to him. I've already gone on record on this one - stating that I would be fine with an offer of three years for $33 million with a team option for a fourth.
However, if Lowell is insisting on a guaranteed fourth year, I believe that you have to pass on this one.
If Lowell was willing to split the difference between a guaranteed fourth year and the team having an option - say, making it a player option that goes into effect when certain performance levels are met in the third year - I'd probably be able to live with that one too.
It will be interesting to see how this one plays out for both New York and Boston.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 13, 2007 09:41 AM
Comments
If Lowell is asking for four years and $52M from Boston, why would the Yankees assume they could get him for cheaper by only offering three years with an option?
You've got to figure that Boston, and not New York, would get the benefit of any potential discount.
I'd rather the Yanks pass on Lowell. We signed Posada because we had to. But do Yankee fans want the 2011 team to look like the recent Yankee teams of old farts that can't play anymore? Let Boston sweat this out without our involvement. Surely someone else will be dopey enough to overpay for Lowell.
Posted by: MJ ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 13, 2007 10:28 AM
~~~If Lowell is asking for four years and $52M from Boston, why would the Yankees assume they could get him for cheaper by only offering three years with an option?~~~
We know that's waht he's asking. But, what was Boston offering?
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 13, 2007 10:48 AM
If the Yanks have to sign him for that,so be it.Lowell is not on the other side of 40,that is truly old fartdom these days!If they have to "overpay' so be it.The Sox have a distinct advantage because they just won and the team has the chemistry factor.Guess what?They just nickel and dimed Schill for 8 million,they pay Papi 12 mill and Beckett gets 10 mill,why would they pay Lowell more than 12.2 mill? The Yanks are in the unenviable position of the team that has to overpay in years and money to attract a player like Lowell.In terms of an option,it might not fly.The Yanks are the underdog in this bidding,so they must put out more time and money.
Posted by: butchie22 at November 13, 2007 11:07 AM
Signing Lowell should be the Yankees' final alternative. They should look everywhere else with trade ideas. People thought this guy was done just a few years ago. He plays a solid third base, but thinking he'll put up another offensive year like he did this year is a dream.
It's too bad teams have to overpay and overextend contracts nowadays. Because two years of Lowell wouldn't be bad -- but four seems like too much.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 13, 2007 02:06 PM
I would prefer not to sign Lowell considering his age, ability and statistics outside of Fenway (and inside Yankee Stadium).
However, if we can bid up his contract and make the Sox dig deeper into their wallet, then all the better.
Posted by: ken at November 13, 2007 08:41 PM