The Florida Marlins had scouts on hand to watch Mike Lowell's Grapefruit League debut at first base today, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Although the club's level of interest in the 36-year-old is unclear, Spencer entertains the notion of a possible reunion between the Marlins and their all-time home run leader.
Considering how minuscule their payroll is, it's hard to imagine the Marlins making a play for Lowell unless Boston is willing to take on virtually the entire $12MM that he'll make in 2010. As Spencer points out though, the corner infield situation in Florida is still in flux. Jorge Cantu is capable of manning either side of the diamond and is penciled in at third base for now, while unproven youngsters Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez compete for the first base job.
Lowell looked solid in his debut, collecting a hit in two at-bats and playing three innings in the field. Of course, it'll take more than a single game to show that he's back to full health after battling thumb and hip issues. It was Lowell's thumb injury that resulted in a trade to Texas being called off earlier in the winter.
In that proposed deal, the Red Sox showed a willingness to pay a significant chunk ($9MM) of Lowell's salary. If Lowell displays good health this spring, and the Sox will still pay that price to move him, the Marlins and Twins could be among the teams interested.
a healthy lowell could really be one of those moves to really put this team over the top.
With Ortiz at virtually 2 for 20 this Spring, I see the BoSox as more reluctant to trade Lowell now than they earlier were. And Mike’s full recovery I think adds to the price for him, as well. I think Theo would be willing to pay only $8MM of salary and would want a B+ prospect; something more than the c+ catcher the Rangers offered. If others are reluctant on that price, that’s just fine, since I think we need Mike for the DH/occasional 1B role.
Mike Lowell is NOT worth a B+ prospect these days. Dan Uggla couldn’t even get that. No one will pay the Sox so much for a 36 yr old. I really hope Mike ends up with the fish again. Cantu is a sold 1B. Cantu was very shaky defensively last year at 3B. I’m not completely sold on Gaby Sanchez as taking over the 1B position so I would put Cantu at 1B and Lowell at 3B. My trade to the sox would be.
Sox get:
Andrew Miller
Marlins get:
Mike Lowell
(most of his salary paid off)
Miller is a young pitcher 24, but he has command issues. If he becomes consistent he will be a good pitcher. If the fish do get Lowell i would also expect to see more fans at the games, he was a hero in south Florida.
Andrew Miller makes no sense for Boston. Miller would have no chance of sticking on the MLB roster, is out of ML options (I believe) and is a glut of Bowden/Tazawa types that they already have at AAA already regardless.. Young pitchers without a roster spot, or place and Lowell at this point can help a team, think possibly Twins, Cardinals, possibly Fish with his still nice bat and team leadership.
There is no reason to rush out and give away somebody like Lowell that Boston may need themselves even as protection for ortiz, pay most of his contract for a pitcher that they even have their exact “twin” in camp on the bubble right now roster status wise in Boof Bonser, who is just as good and has those same command issues mentioned above.
While Mikey isn’t going to get anybodies top prospects by any means, the longer they keep him and more injuries around the league pile up, the better player in return they will get it seems, especially should Lowell actually show some improved range in the field at 3B this season.
Actually, Max Ramirez is considered an MLB ready batter. His behind the plate skills leave a lot to be desired. But he is a good hitter right now.
If I were Theo (and thank God I am not lol) I would pick up as much cash as the Marlins want to have us pick up, and then deal Lowell for Gabby Sanchez.
Lowell allows the Marlins to use Cantu at 1st. Basically whomever is at 1st for FLA is keeping the seat warm until Morrison is ready. Sanchez is not the power guy that Morrison projects to be. But Sanchez IS a guy who looks to be a good 15 HR guy. Great for the Sox bench as a RH batter.
No doubt, Max had decent numbers at the plate in the minors. There are, however, the problems with Max of poor defense and (I believe from recollection) a lingering wrist injury. That’s why he is properly construed as C+ prospect. If Lowell performs well tonight and the following game, I think we have the right to say we want more than C+ talent back in return. I don’t doubt the Marlins have the talent to make the trade, but I definitely doubt they are capable of absorbing the $4MM in salary that Theo will be demanding from whoever takes Mikey.
It would be fantastic for Lowell and the Marlins. Except if he shows something now, the Sox just might keep him. They’d be paying him anyway, and he’d be a useful spare part to keep around.
I’d have to agree…
If Lowell is healthy, he’d be a damn fine addition to the Twins.
I think so too. Moreso for the Twins than the Marlins, who can’t plug Mikey’s .300+ bat and occasional power into the line-up at DH, avoiding his mobility weakness.
I’d hope for the Twins’ sake he could still play 3B. If Kubel can play the OF without getting hurt, a line-up of:
Span
Hudson
Mauer
Morneau
Kubel
Cuddyer
Thome
Lowell
Hardy
would be damn good if they can avoid injuries.
Assuming Lowell proves healthy and has the .300+/some power bat, can you see Minn giving up a prospect like Wilson Ramos (b- catcher, age 22) and absorbing $4MM in payroll. Mind you, he’s DH/1B material, spot sub at 3B, only.
If healthy, I’d be all for it. Not to mention he was loved here in Miami!
If healthy, I’d be down to have him back. Not to mention, he was very well liked here in Miami!
What…no Hanley Ramirez for Mike Lowell proposals? Isnt it obligatory for Red Sox fans to bring Hanley’s name up in this scenario? 😉
my bet – Lowell + cash for this contract, for Jorge Jimenez back. Jimenez was the Rule 5 pick that went from Boston to the Marlins (through Houston). 3B, but part of the current year corner outlook for Florida this year. By getting Lowell for free, they send Jimenez back to Boston. Boston is shallow at 3B, though the Beltre replacement may be Youk (with either an A- Gon trade or similar backfilling, maybe an internal like Bates)
as much as I like Mike Lowell, I just dont see this happening… would be great to be proved wrong tho
Can’t see Boston paying big cash (8-12M) and giving up Lowell to get their ruleV pick back, 25YO, never played above AA, not very mobile at 3B when they have an oversize SS in Yamaico Navarro, who is screaming *3B* and at 22 last year played at the same level (AA) the 2nd half of the season.
No, think it’s wiser to see if the Fish can afford to try and make the playoffs with a rookie that has never played above AA ball and keep him on their roster all year as their backup 3B. Why else would the Fish be looking at Lowell now even? Is Jimenez keeping Morrison, Sanchez out even? Think about that one. I really doubt Boston is going to help them out of a roster problem, PLUS give them a lethal bat/team leader and pay his salary to boot.
Hey – I like Mike (and I’m a sox fan). With Lowrie still hurting, it clearly makes sense to keep Mike.
But I think Theo is trying to give him away – think Max Ramirez. My guess (and it’s only that) is having Jimenez in Portland/Pawtucket is worth the same as having Ramirez in Pawtucket. Everyone likes their prospects best – Theo as much as you or me. I just don’t see Lowell bringing much more in a trade (he clearly is not commanding “lethal bat/team leader” trade returns if Max Ramirez was the best they could get pre-thumb surgery)
Ramirez is still a legit prospect and plays a coveted position in Catcher that is in demand, where Jimenez plays 3B that does not draw that much in trade, especially when he is not the typical power guy that team generally like to have, nor is much with the leather either.
Most fans of Boston think would have been pretty happy if the Ramirez deal would have gone through, even with Exposito, Federowicz and Wagner being fairly decent catching prospects already in the system. Youkilis can slide over to 3B next season if Beltre is not brought back for a year and a 1B found, they are much easier to find, look no further than Blalock, LaRoche etc.. who went on chump change contracts this off season.
Lowell will have his suitors eventually, injuries will pile up, contenders with rookies, like the Cardinals and Twins playing 3b may have their “greenness” exposed and would think they will be able to find another decent guy of at least Ramirez’s ability.
They should play Gaby at 1st until Morrison is truely ready to take over. We’re looking at a probable 6/1 date anyway, so it’s a short term thing. (most likely)
For all the jokes about ridiculous Sox fan trade proposals, this thread’s got a lot of idiotic ideas the other way.
The Sox want to move Lowell because he’s essentially an expensive DH, that much is true. That said, they’re not going to move him for garbage parts and eat the majority of his salary concurrently.
Ramirez was, at the time of the proposed trade, considered a quality, close to the majors catching prospect, something the Sox are overall lacking.
They aren’t going to eat $10 MM in salary to trade him for a middle reliever or someone they couldn’t be bothered to protect from the Rule 5 draft, they’ve got plenty of those sitting around wasting space at camp.
One of three things will have to happen:
1. The Sox hold onto Lowell as insurance for Ortiz.
2. The Sox trade Lowell for complete junk and pay relatively lower portion of his salary.
3. The Sox trade Lowell for something not readily fantastic, but fills an organizational need and has some decent upside and eat the vast majority of Lowell’s salary.
My bet? They go with option one until they find a suitor who matches up for option three.
I definitely agree. With the Ramirez almost-trade, it seems clear that Epstein is willing to pretty much pay for Lowell, on or off the team. Therefore I would be very surprised to see him traded for junk just so Epstein gets a couple million saved. Especially with the way Ortiz is hitting this Spring, and with Lowell looking like he could possibly get comfortable at first, Lowell may be valuable for the Sox. I think of him as the more expensive, better-hitting, older version of Bill Hall, -if- he can play first. Will be very helpful in filling third, (hopefully first), and DH, so he can be played in a bunch of different situations, yet he hits very well still. He may be old and prone to injuries, but maybe in a utility position that will be less likely. I think if Lowell can stand it, and if the Red Sox don’t find a trade proposal they like, he’ll do well as our super-sub.
Would be great to see Lowell back with the Marlins if he is over his hip problems,he did miss time late last season. Taking that into consideration and with the Marlins deep in the catching department I think something could be worked out. Yes, he my be old and prone to injuries but he will out hit five of your starters.
Hehe, I dunno, I have a good feeling about Beltre. 😉 But yes, I actually agree with that. The reason I’m okay with him not starting though instead of one of those five guys, is because of his age (and therefore declining defense), and the fact that he’ll likely be injured for a decent portion of the year.