Lucchino On Lowell (Who Else?)

It seems that lately every other post here at Peter's Red Sox Forever has something about the Red Sox and their quest to retain the services of third baseman supreme Mike Lowell. And I ain't going to stop until he is signed, hopefully with us. Larry Lucchino spoke the words we all want to hear (other than the words saying he's back!).....

“I think any public comment on it will be detrimental to a process that has been going on, respectfully and positively,” Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino said yesterday. “So I’m not going to say anything, except to say we want him back very much. We want Mike Lowell to know, we want fans to know that we are endeavoring to sign him because we want him back. We’d like to see him at third base on Opening Day next year receiving his World Series ring.
“I don’t want to comment, except to say, ‘Mike Lowell, if you’re watching, we want you back.”

Peter here. We want you back, Mike. Sweet words indeed. Now, Red Sox front office, make it happen. The Herald article went on to say that the Yankees withdrew their four year offer to him after they locked up AROD and when Mike informed them he did NOT want to make the switch to first base. So now, with the Sox being just about the only team out there in the Lowell sweepstakes, all they should have to do is up the offer to four years at $48 to $52 million and we'd all be happy. I know, I know, easier said than done. But he's still only 33, and with him back, the world championship infield AND outfield, at least the starting nine (DH included), would be intact. Throw in a couple added arms to the 'pen, and the Red Sox would be more than ready to defend the World Series title, with a Schill in better shape, a Beckett who's simply Beckett, a Daisuke who'll be more comfortable in his second year, a young phenom who goes by the name of Clay, an inning eater named Wakefield and the cancer free and talented Jon Lester. Yes, that's six pitchers in the starting rotation, and that's a whole lot better than four! Julian Tavarez will be relegated to a long relief role, an important one, too. So I'm optimistic about everything except for the empty chasm at third base. C'mon back Mikey!! And this, just in, from Pinstripe Alley, a New York Yankees blog.....

"A source close to the Lowell side of the negotiations tells 7Sports that each offer is a 4-year contract, worth between $55-60 million. The Yankees offer includes a request that Lowell play First Base, something the Gold-Glove-winning third baseman does not want to do."

Peter here, and thank you Pinstripe Alley!! That's the first time I've heard that the Sox offer has climbed to the four year level. YAY! Enjoy your Saturday, and your weekend, and click on the title of this post for the entire Boston Herald article, penned by the always entertaining and informative Michael Silverman. Thanks for being here, and any and all comments, which have dwindled to a precious few since the glow of the World Series has softly faded, would be appreciated. Be well, be safe and be happy. Forever.