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For Red Sox Nation, the party continues. There’s a parade to attend. Lots of overpriced World Series merchandise to purchase. Jordan’s furniture refunds to collect. Hangovers to sleep off. Court fines to pay and community service to perform for the street rioters.
A quick aside here; If I were Leo DiCaprio (King of the World…get it?) I could solve the championship celebration nuttiness in a heartbeat. Take the first drunken idiot who decides to climb a light post or overturn a car and beat him. Not too badly, mind you. Just enough to get the point across. I know it sounds a bit draconian, but the rest of the morons would disperse in a heartbeat. OK, maybe not such a good idea. Now you see why I’m on sports duty and not the crime beat.
Anyway, when the celebration does die down, the BoSox brain trust has some serious decisions to make. Is Curt Schilling worth another year or two at around $13-mil per? (I say yes) Can Coco Crisp be packaged for anything of value? (Not unless they’re looking for a Juan Epstein look-alike in a Broadway revival of Welcome Back Kotter) Where can we squeeze in more $150-a-pop seats at Fenway? (I’m sure the structural engineers can work in some perches up and down Pesky’s pole)
But the juiciest issue facing Boston’s Boys of Summer this winter is what to do at the hot corner. Should they pony up the money to re-sign Mike Lowell, or should they did even deeper into their vast pockets and try to hook the biggest fish in the free agent waters, Alex Rodriguez?
On the surface, the decision appears quite simple. There’s a lot to like about Lowell. He’s a great guy, an acknowledged leader in the clubhouse, sucks up ground balls like a vacuum cleaner at third base and has experienced a resurgence at the plate since coming to Boston. Oh yeah, he was also just named World Series MVP.
Rodriguez will soon be named American League MVP for the third time, but he’s less popular around these parts than Michael Vick at the Westminster Dog Show. He’d cost the Gross National Product of a small European country to sign. Over the last four post-seasons, he’s morphed into Alex Cora in the batter’s box. And there’s this issue of a famous “disagreement” back in 2004 with the heart and soul of the Red Sox, Jason Varitek. (Though A-Rod wasn’t exactly chummy with Derek Jeter, so what’s a rift or two with another team’s captain?)
Sounds like a grand slam that Lowell is Theo Epstein’s target, doesn’t it? Don’t be so sure.
For starters, young Mr. Epstein can be downright Belichickian when it comes to old veterans. Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon were much more ingrained in our hearts than the current third baseman, and you see where that got them at contract time. If Lowell, who turns 34 in February, demands a longer term commitment than Theo is willing to make, he’ll be dropped faster than Bridget Moynihan after asking for a ring.
Then there’s the issue of a certain team with a potential opening at third base. If the Yankees are serious about refusing to negotiate with Rodriguez now that he’s opted out of his contract (I say they’re bluffing), you can bet they’ll go hard after Lowell, which is very likely to drive the price out of the Red Sox ballpark.
As for whether the Red Sox have legitimate interest in A-Rod; why wouldn’t they? John Henry and company have already been down that road before, willing to jettison fan favorites Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra to make room for the game’s best player.
Is the likely $30-million a year contract a deal killer? Not necessarily. Ramirez only has a year remaining on his deal, so there’s $20-million that becomes available soon. Couple the potential savings from Schilling, Lowell and Crisp with the bargain basement contributions from Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, and you can easily slot Rodriguez in without even trading Manny. (Wouldn’t that be a scary 3-4-5 in the order?)
And let’s not forget, the Sox owners are smart businessmen. They fully understand the potential financial bonanza of having a good looking, eloquent superstar making nicey-nice with corporate suits off the field while chasing Barry Bonds’ home run record on it. So he’s not exactly viewed as a golden boy right now? Wait until the Sox public relations machine gets its catcher’s mitts on him. He’ll be more popular than a beer vendor at a NASCAR race.
Where do I stand on the issue? Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit to a little bias. You know that Lowell family Rodriguez married into? They have the same blood running through their veins as a certain sportswriter who’s about to make a few new enemies.
I love Mike Lowell. I appreciate everything he’s meant to the Red Sox in his short stay here. But when you have the opportunity to acquire the best player in the game, you have to at least swing for the fences. Alex Rodriguez in a Boston uniform would be a grand slam for the organization.
Of course, they could always keep Lowell, sign A-Rod to play shortstop and unload Julio Lugo. Hey, it’s not my money!
OK gang, let's hear it! Tell me how I've lost my mind. But then give me a logical explanation how the Red Sox would be a better team with Mike Lowell at third instead of A-Rod.
Comments (20)
Boras must have something up his sleeve if he's opting out of this contract. Peter Gammons mentioned something about teams not wanting A-Rod because of the shanangans he pulls one example being the announcement of his opting out during the end of game 4 of the World Series. A little selfish and classless, but then again, it's the agents who run this league anyway.
There have been rumblings of A-Rod teaming up with Ramirez and Cabrera in his home town of Miami. Perhaps its a smoke screen, but it makes sense with the new ownership down there, doesn't it?
Posted by T2 | October 29, 2007 5:43 PM
Posted on October 29, 2007 17:43
How very loyal of you! Lets get rid of our world series mvp for an overpaid (player). Lowell is a proven winner, he won here he won in Florida. A Rod is a proven loser, and a proven (jerk) as well. Maybe you're still feeling the effects of the ouzo you drank last night in celebration of the Sox victory.
Posted by Jon V. | October 29, 2007 5:43 PM
Posted on October 29, 2007 17:43
Teddy, whats all the talk of Arod coming to Boston for?
Yes he's a good player, yes he might be worth a few million, but do really need him?
And why do we even consider him?
Think Sox organization should focus more on bringing players up through ranks, rather than signing over egoed - high priced players....
Posted by Tdog | October 29, 2007 8:02 PM
Posted on October 29, 2007 20:02
I love the way your thinking T2, It makes all the sense in the world. As for Teddy P, if indeed the blood runs through Lowell, shouldn't you have some insight as to what really is going on with A-Rod? Stop guessing, Call the family up and find out and let us all know.
Posted by Louis Cypher | October 30, 2007 12:26 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 00:26
Yes please let us all know when the family tells you ;-)
Posted by dodge | October 30, 2007 5:31 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 05:31
Just say NO to A-Rod. Lowell proved himself during the season AND in the playoffs and is a good guy for the young players to emulate. Also speaks fluent Spanish so is sort of a bridge between Manny and Papi and the non-Hispanics of the team. Too many plusses to ignore. I agree that the Sox brain trust is infatuated with A-Rod and may be inclined to make a play for him but I'd sure rather overpay a little for Lowell to keep him and let A-Rod sell himself to the Cubs or the Angels or whomever.
This is one case when I just wish all the teams in baseball would just say NO to Boras and his demands and leave A-Rod still looking for his $30 mil when spring training starts. I hope he gets stuck on another going-nowhere franchise like he did when he signed with Texas to begin with. Would serve him (and Boras) right. After the whole Matsuzaka/Varitek/JD Drew sagas with Boras I'd hope they're just tired of dealing with him and will say "Forget it" to A-Rod. The guy's a loser when it counts- big deal if he hits 50+ HR during the season if he can't hit a single one in the playoffs... Don't care how you (or the Red Sox) would spin it- a leopard can't change his spots.
Posted by dboisver | October 30, 2007 11:28 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 11:28
Let's assume for a second that Lowell gets an offer of 4-years for close to 50-million (Hey, if JD Drew and Julio Lugo can get their deals, you don't think some other organization is going to open the wallet for a guy of Lowell's class and character?). You really think/want the Sox to match that?
And if they're going to open the vault, why not do it for a 3-time MVP instead of a player who everyone thought was washed up 2-years ago and who could very well be useless a year or two into a new deal?
So if Lowell leaves for a sweetheart offer (more power to him, if he does), what should the Sox do? Get a mediocre replacement? Shift Youk to 3rd and overpay for a mediocre 1st baseman? There's nothing ready in the minors at the hot corner, so you can't fill from there. What should they do? Simply ignore the best player in the game because people don't like him since he played for the Yankees?
As for your A-Rod can't hit in the post-season talk, they used to say the same thing about Barry Bonds in Pittsburgh. Why don't you check out how he did with San Fran in the 2002 playoffs before you get too comfy in that argument.
A player of A-Rod's talent will eventually bust out in the playoffs if he gets enough opportunities. It's the law of averages. In baseball, water seeks its level. In this case, A-Rod's level is above anything we've seen in our lifetime.
And one last thing...aren't most of you the same people who thought giving 32-year old Johnny Damon a 4-year deal was insane? Now you want to do it for Lowell?
Posted by Teddy P. | October 30, 2007 3:58 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 15:58
I'll tell you why not - signing A-Rod is the equivalent of selling your team's soul to the devil... The guy is a disruptive force to a clubhouse the likes of which has probably not been seen in Boston since maybe Canseco?
Look at what this guy leaves in his wake... He had been friends with Jeter until he gets to NY and all of a sudden they are not only not friends but basically not even on speaking terms??
Personally I'd much rather have the steady clubhouse guy who will decline over time and may even need to be replaced at some point in that 4th year than the prima donna who's left pretty much nothing but disrupted clubhouses in his wake. Every team he's been on since maybe his early years in Seattle has underachived. Is that what you want to happen to the Sox? A-Rod is like a cubic zirconia - looks really pretty from just about any angle up until the time you pay the for it and then you realize you've simply got a cheap imitation of the real thing.
I think the age argument with Lowell is a little different than Damon... A third baseman can play later into his career with less decline than a centerfielder who relies on his speed. Mike Schmidt, Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken, and others hung on a little too long but all played effectively as they got older...
Posted by dboisver | October 30, 2007 4:47 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 16:47
I'll buy your argument about a 3rd baseman aging more gracefully than a centerfielder. But I'll disagree with your assesment of A-Rod in the clubhouse.
The rift with Jeter, in my eyes, is more an indication of how petty Jeter can be. He implores Yankees fans to cheer an acknowledged cheater like Giambi, yet stays silent as they're all over A-Rod. And all over what? A stupid quote a few years earlier in a magazine? Yeah, that's quality leadership, right there. Not to mention that Rodriguez was (and probably still is) a better defensive shortstop than Jeter, but Captain America refused to move for the good of the team.
As for selling your soul to the devil and being a clubhouse disruption...is he a bigger disruption than Manny? Sox seemed to do just fine with disruptions, as long as they produce. And I've yet to hear anyone say A-Rod WON'T produce in Boston.
And here's one more thing to chew on...you don't think he's going to motivated to stick it to the Yankees if he comes here?
Posted by Teddy P. | October 30, 2007 4:59 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 16:59
But the baggage of A-Rod also includes his little fling in Toronto and then the lovely outfit his wife decided to wear to New York so it's a combination of off-field stuff and the on-field stuff. How can anyone advocate signing the guy who, against the Sox, committed the "slap heard around the world" in the 2004 ALCS?? THAT was the most ridiculous "play" I've ever seen. Is that a guy Boston is going to welcome with open arms? You thought they got on Renteria, Drew, and Lugo when *THEY* messed up??
Is he a bigger disruption than Manny? Debatable. But- is it worth it to have 2 guys like that on the same team?? I say no. Pedro and Manny at the same time was enough of a circus and Pedro only played every 5th day...
Not saying he wouldn't be motivated to beat the Yankees but who isn't motivated these days when playing either the Yanks or, now, the Sox?? I'd let him take his motivation and his demands and go elsewhere- hopefully to the Cubs - so he can ruin someone else's clubhouse. You know this team, as constructed, can win. Why try a chemistry experiment that may work but has, in my eyes, a much better chance of blowing up in your face and if it does, Red Sox nation will turn on Theo, Henry, and Co as fast as they accepted them...
Posted by dboisver | October 31, 2007 10:22 AM
Posted on October 31, 2007 10:22
But this is where I think you're speaking with your heart and not your head DB. You dislike A-Rod so much because of how he's portrayed by the media here and because he played for the Evil Empire, that you can't look at your arguments objectively.
Baseball players having affairs? Gee, there's a new concept. Not to cast aspersions on the entire team, but I'll bet you a pitcher of beer that there's more than a few Sox doing the same...they've just been lucky enough not to get caught. As for his wife being a distraction, too? remebmer the famoush Mrs. Damon vs. Mrs. Schilling brouhaha? That stuff happens everywhere. Didn't really seem to hurt the Sox, did it?
In my mind, the "slap" play was waayyyyy overplayed. He instinctively tried to avoid a sure out. Not that big a deal to me. Again, overplayed because it was A-Rod doing it the same year he and Varitek brawled. And the brawl with Varitek? No different than when Manny freaked out over nothing with Clemens in that playoff game, only Posada didn't go shoving Ramirez in the face and igniting a bench clearer. At least Rodriguez actually got HIT by a pitch.
And finally, I'll get back to the crux of my argument. Rodriguez is a far superior player to Lowell in every sense of the word. He'd have the Fenway faithful eating out of the palm of his hands the second he stepped to the podium at his introductory press conference and said: "Hey listen, I wanted to come here in the first place in 2004. I'm finally here, and I can't wait to beat the Yankees." Then he'd go out and blast 50-home runs, and he'd get curtain calls just like J.D. Drew did, and all he had to do was hit ONE home run.
Admit it, DB. You'd love him and root for him, too. Just like we all love Randy Moss now after spending a decade ripping him to shreds. He was a far bigger jerk than A-Rod before rehabbing his image. It's all in the uniform they wear, my friend.
Now how about the rest of you? Come on, I know DB isn't alone. Someone step up and get his back.
Posted by Teddy P. | October 31, 2007 11:27 AM
Posted on October 31, 2007 11:27
I agree that a bunch of that stuff is blown out of proportion because it's A-Rod but the key point is that he DID get caught in Toronto. Other guys may be doing it but are smart enough NOT to get caught.
I guess, ultimately, I would want to know the feelings of key members of the Sox- namely Varitek, Papi, and maybe a guy like Wakefield. Would they accept this creep as a teammate and truly back him up as they would a guy like Lowell. Got to keep these conversations hush-hush and out of the media... If these type of guys would accept him then I'd consider A-Rod as my plan-B if, and only if, Lowell won't accept a deal at whatever value they've placed on him. All things equal- if they have a number in mind on Lowell's worth and he accepts it I don't think they should even flirt with A-Rod.
I still don't think you'd find Red Sox Nation buying into this guy. He's said all the right things when he comes to a team every time yet they are ready to run him out of town everywhere he's been except for Seattle and for one year in NY.
I could never come to love a player like A-Rod (unless maybe he wanted to pay me to like him which I guess he could afford). A guy can't go from Public Enemy #1 to hero just by putting on a jersey. As far as I'm concerned guys like A-Rod play for the name on the back of the jersey and not for the name on the front of it. Moss most certainly did until he went to the Pats but do you really equate A-Rod with Moss? Moss had some awfully lean years and was just about "finished" before BB pulled him off the scrap heap and gave him an image transplant as well as a rediscovery of his talent. He had to have been BEGGING to go to the Pats. Does you think, deep-down, it really matters to A-Rod where he goes? Do you think he'd play in Boston for $30 mil if, say, the Devil Rays found an extra $33 mil lying around and offered that to him? I tend to think not. I want the players on the Red Sox to care - not to simply come to Boston because they're the highest bidder...
Posted by dboisver | October 31, 2007 1:36 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 13:36
I think A-Rod comes with less baggage than Moss did, except for the fact one wore a meaningless Vikings/Raiders uniform and the other donned pinstripes.
I think Rodriguez does want to play for a winner. Remember, he was going to take a pay CUT to come here in 2004. He only went to the Yankees (and shifted positions) because he was desperate enough to win that he didn't want to stay in Texas any longer. So I can't see him going to the Devil Rays or any other franchise that has no plans to win. He's made his money already, so that won't be the driving factor this time around. (though it helps that the only teams that can afford him have big enough budgets to contend year-in year-out.
Finally, the list of athletes who came here only for the money is vast, and that didn't stop us from loving them once they put on the uniform and produced. Manny wasn't (and still isn't) in love with Boston, yet we cheer him.
Am I doing a good job selling this? Check back on the blog in a bit...I'll have a post with reaction to my column. Not many supporters, to say the least.
Posted by Teddy P. | October 31, 2007 2:33 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 14:33
I'm waiting for the Sox to make an offer for A-Rod; his stats notwithstanding, they're not going to get involved in a bidding war for him. The Sox should save their money.
Posted by KSM | October 31, 2007 6:07 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 18:07
I guess my point on Moss is more this- he realized after he went through the motions for a few years that he needed to re-make his image as well as give 100% in order to become relevant again. He was being more-or-less forgotten among good WRs in the NFL and had been surpassed by Harrison, Wayne, T.O., etc and realized he needed to save his legacy or those good years in Minn would be totally forgotten (and I think some of those were only as big as they were because Cris Carter was there- just like with the Pats he's got a good TE, 2 other good receivers, a running game, and a great QB so he doesn't have to be "the man").
A-Rod, for all the venom coming out about him (and, yes some of it from me, although looking at the blog postings you just put up at least I have a rational argument minus some of the name calling) has been a great player in the regular season. I don't think he needs (or gets a chance) to truly redeem himself until/unless he can take a team to a championship. He can far surpass what he did in the 2007 regular season (and very well may) but if he chokes in the playoffs again then no matter what team he's playing for I guarantee they'll be ready to run him out of town. He couldn't do it for Seattle, he couldn't even get Texas into the playoffs (granted they had no pitching), and couldn't do it for the Yankees. At least Moss did have some team success.
I guess it boils down to the fact that no-one seems to stick up and call A-Rod a great teammate. Moss did have those who said that about him - both at the Vikings and Raiders. If you pay that kind of money to a guy you expect a leader of the franchise- I just don't see A-Rod as that kind of guy. I think *IF* he'd take a back seat to big Papi and Varitek and just tried to fit in he'd be okay but do you really want your $30 mil man as a player in the background?
Posted by dboisver | November 1, 2007 9:51 AM
Posted on November 1, 2007 09:51
Teddy;
When you mentioned Mike Lowell will be 34 in February you forgot to mention A-Rod will be 33 in July. As far as Theo Epstein being Belichickian???? That's questionable in light of the fact that he traded a young, potentially good left handed pitcher named Kason Gabbard (5-0) for a burned out reliever named Eric Gagme, who by the way looked "Great on Paper"....FLOP!!!
To quote a mutual friend of ours (K. Shaughnessy)
"Theo tried to fix a problem that didn't exist"!!
So what does A-Rod get us......maybe 10 more wins during the regular season.....and then what???.......A-Rod goes to sleep in the postseason......AGAIN...
I'd prefer the Red Sox NOT be A-Rod's "Postseason proving Ground"!!!!
I'll take a tried and true ,proven, two time champion any day....and his name is Mike Lowell!!!!
IMHO Give him the $$$$ and give him the years and he won't let you down.
Red Auerbach won eight consecutive championships using players who were low key and had a win at all cost's attitude and they knew how to win.
All of the Celtics records were post season records!!!!
'nuf said
Posted by Mark Dunning | November 1, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 15:43
Since when does K. Shaughnessy know anything about baseball?
The difference is that A-Rod is one of the most finely conditioned athletes in baseball, and he recently switched from the more demanding SS position to the easier 3B. He doesn't show, and hasn't shown, any sign of slowing down.
Lowell, on the other hand, was considered washed up just two years ago. True, he's had a pair of good years, but isn't anyone out there the least bit worried he's going to lose it overnight?
And finally, when Manny is gone, aren't you going to have to pay huge, huge money to replace him and protect Papi in the order? Who's going to do that? Lowell is a nice player, but he's not going to scare anybody away from pitching around Ortiz. A-Rod, on the other hand, would be the perfect guy to insert behind Papi for the next 4-5 years.
Posted by Teddy P. | November 1, 2007 4:27 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 16:27
C'mon Teddy, Mike Lowell has done nothing but produce since he's come to Boston. He is a vacuum at 3rd and his 120 RBI aren't too shabby. AROD is a head case who just isn't wired too handle playing New York or Boston. There are some players who simply can't perform in the clutch and he is one of them.
Posted by Elenio | November 1, 2007 4:50 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 16:50
A-ROD is a curse. He may put up big numbers in the season but no one is as big of a curse as
A-ROD. The guy is just all around poison. He will never win which is why I wanted him to be a Yankee for the rest of his career. Boston just lifted its curse a couple years ago, do we really want a new one? Mike Lowell is a great all around positive impact to Boston. Thats what I would think about everytime A-ROD would cause trouble here. People say "where would the Yankees be without A-ROD this year?" But I say "where would we have been without Mike Lowell this year?" I love Mike Lowell he's a great player and great for the city of Boston. I don't think we could have asked anymore of him and I'd like to see him stay around for at least 2years. If anyone involved with the Yankees see this please get A-ROD back I really liked how it was going for you guys.
Posted by Bobby | November 1, 2007 7:45 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 19:45
if the redsox don't sign my cuban eye candy...it's their lose...mike has consistantly carried that team through this entire season and he deserves whatever he wants.....he is definately worth it......WTG on your MVP Mike.....u earned it babe!!!!!!
Posted by m tapley | November 10, 2007 3:46 AM
Posted on November 10, 2007 03:46