5:18pm: Sullivan now hears from the Rangers that they aren't going to acquire Lowell.
4:38pm: The Rangers and Red Sox are discussing Mike Lowell again, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The Rangers, who are also discussing Jeff Francoeur with the Mets, are "pushing hard" to acquire a right-handed bat by tonight, according to Sullivan, who says Lowell appears to be the Rangers' main target.
The Red Sox placed Lowell on waivers earlier in the month and he presumably cleared. If he had been claimed and the Red Sox had pulled him back, no trade would be possible at this point. About $2.2MM of Lowell's $12MM salary remains. That figure has been an obstacle all season, but the Rangers showed that they have some money to spend when they claimed Manny Ramirez.
As WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports, the Red Sox are not giving up, despite the fact that they traded Manny Delcarmen to the Rockies. Lowell hasn't hit much this season (.234/.309/.373 line), so perhaps the Red Sox believe they have an equally good chance of heating up and re-entering the playoff picture without him. Lowell has a career .841 OPS against lefties, which presumably contributes to the Rangers' interest.
Brandon Woodworth
I’d take Francoeur purely for defense.
Brandon Woodworth
Would have been nice if they just linked it to the article of a moth ago that linked to the offseason artice. I just want to see the amount of comments on it.
Royal_Assbadger
Just take what you can get Theo. I’d like to see Mike get one last shot in the playoffs before he retires. Hats off to a nice career Mike.
Hope you can get a few licks in for Texas.
cubs223425
If Lowell goes, they should just let Texas take him. Who cares if they get nothing in return if they can shed some of that nasty salary?
Ask for anyone under the age of 25 and in A-ball and let’s be done with this.
Al Briggs
Deja Vu…
HerbertAnchovy
Hey kids! Who’s ready for The Mike Lowell Show?
ELPinchy
just give them Lowell,the season is 99.999999999999999% done. this might just let some of the kids get more ABs in sept.