If Not Mike Lowell, Then Who?

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald wrote a very interesting article in the Sunday edition of that newspaper. It's title is "Plan B Begins With A," and it is all about what the Red Sox will do in case Mike Lowell goes elsewhere. Here's a little bit of it....I'll link the entire thought provoking piece, so just click on the title of this post. Here's that taste....

"The Red Sox certainly seem sincere about their attempt to re-sign Lowell, who is (and should be) their first choice. The question is at what cost. From the very start of this negotiation, the sticking point was going to be the term of the deal, be it three years or four. (The Sox have offered the former and Lowell wants the latter.) Most have correctly assumed, too, that Lowell will earn between $12-$15 million annually, which puts a three-year package between $36-$45 million.
So what did the Sox do out of the gate? They offered $36 million, a proposal that almost certainly will be rejected, if it has not been already. (The Sox undoubtedly expected this.) With the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels all in need of a third baseman, Lowell almost certainly will get a four-year offer in the range of at least $48-50 million when he is able to discuss financial terms with other clubs this week."

Peter here. I didn't know that the Sox offer to their third baseman was only for $12 million a year....Mikey SHOULD reject that. But at the same time, I can see why the club is balking at a four year deal. After all, Lowell's 34. But $36 million? C'mon front office! That's insulting!! I see now why there has been no news as of yet, and Monday night is fast approaching. I do not understand the logic. Why not make the guy an offer that would be seriously considered rather than rejected, and rightly so? Does the club really want AROD?? The boos of the Fenway Faithful will quickly change to wild and enthusiastic cheers once Alex dons that sacred uniform, that I know. But that's about ALL I know right now. Except for one important thing. I WANT MIKE LOWELL BACK....I just don't want the club to screw him, and that's exactly what their initial offer accomplished.

Please read Massarotti's entire article, and if you wish, leave a comment for me to respond to....what do you think the Sox are up to with such a devastatingly low offer? Did they just go through the formality of a salary proposal when anyone who can read can tell that it was a half-assed one? Are they coveting AROD for the hot corner? He'd hit 50 home runs easily with half of his games at Fenway. Right now I can't fathom the thought processes of Theo, John, Larry and all the powers-that-be who make these decisions. And remember, Mike Lowell had a higher batting average than Alex did, and his defense, at least to me, is superior. So please click on the title of this post to read the entire article, and then I'd love to hear from you. Have a great Sunday. Here in North Central Connecticut, it's the coldest morning of this late autumn season--20 degrees F. Something we'll all get used to as the days grow shorter and the afternoon shadows grow longer. And right now the shadows are masking the bright face of third base. And I don't like it. Not at all.