Mike Lowell Being Traded To Texas For Max Ramirez?
Mike Lowell trade speculation has run rampant for the past two years, but all the bluster finally seems to be amounting to something and numerous reports are indicating that the Boston Red Sox will trade Lowell to the Texas Rangers for prospect catcher Max Ramirez.
If the trade is completed the Red Sox will likely have to pay a majority of the $12M remaining on Lowell's contract, which runs only through the up coming 2010 season. Because the Red Sox will be paying more than $1M of Lowell's salary, the trade is subject to approval by the commissioners office. Another potential hang up to the trade are Lowell's medical records. Lowell has a history of injuries and is 35 years old.
If the Lowell trade is completed, the Red Sox will have to look for another option at third base. Kevin Youkilis is always an option for the team, having come up through the organization as a third baseman and recently he has split time between first and third base. The Red Sox have been rumored to have interest in free agent Adrian Beltre, a Scott Boras client.
In speaking with Boston Globe reporter Peter Abraham, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels was elusive, but did not deny the trade rumors. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was unavailable for comment.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that if the deal is completed, it will not be for a while. Nevertheless, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated believes the deal has a better than 50-50 chance of being completed.
Are Mike Lowell's days in Boston over?
