Sox Still Won't Release Lowell

ESPN  -  Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has abandoned any expectation that the Red Sox will release him, allowing him the chance to play elsewhere.


"I don't think they're going to release me," said Lowell, who returned here after the All-Star break after spending the past week and a half at home in Miami with the club's permission.


"I think that's been addressed. I've got no say. What do you want me to do?''


With Lowell playing little here and not producing when he has -- he's batting .213 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs in 31 games overall, and is 4-for-his-past-45 (.103) -- why wouldn't the Red Sox release him? Are they concerned that he would catch on with a team like the Rangers, who have a need for a right-handed-hitting first baseman, and do something to beat the Red Sox in the playoffs?

"I don't know if it's specifically because I might beat them, I just don't think they want me to go to another team while they pay my salary," Lowell said. "At this point, they're not going to get anything [in a trade]. You're going to get a subpar prospect at best. There's too much time left in the season, they're not going to get money.

"I don't know to what lengths and what teams have spoken with them. Maybe nobody wants me. Maybe there are four that want me. I've been hearing a lot of different things. I just don't know."




For the love of God, can we please just let Mike Lowell go? When I say this, I don't mean it in any way, shape, or form against Lowell as a player and definitely not as a person. This guy poured his heart and soul into this organization during his years here. The type of guy everyone loves -- goes out there and plays, respects the game, loves the fans, and is honorable in every way. He was a true warrior. He took home a World Series MVP with us in 2007. He has done phenomenal things here. But his time is up. He's not producing anything for us, and quite frankly, we have no room to play him. He can play first base and third base, as well as DH. That happens to be the position that the Red Sox are deepest at, with Beltre, Ortiz, Youkilis, and Victor Martinez all in the mix. Additionally, those positions aren't the hardest in the world to play. I think Boston could really benefit from releasing Lowell and getting a more well-rounded player, or even a player who brings a particular asset, such as speed. Right now, Lowell is literally useless to us.


Equally as notable as Lowell's uselessness, however, is his desire to be released. He fully understands that he's behind some great, healthy players at his positions. He has handled it with respect and diligence. He's referenced several times that he would like to be released and given the opportunity to play somewhere. And I don't believe the Red Sox are doing him justice by holding him here. Is it really the money? Can they not afford to just pay off his contract? Are they really scared of Lowell hurting them with another team? If Boston is fearful that Lowell could be the dagger against them in the playoffs, then they aren't a World Series caliber team. Plain and simply, the guy has been a warrior. He deserves a little respect -- even at the very least, to explain to him why he must stay.


I don't know if the Sox will make this move at all, but a potential time to do it would be when Lowell returns from the DL in the coming days. He wants to go. We don't need him. Pay back the man who has paid so much to this city. Grant him his wish -- it's really not all that demanding.