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Pedroia one of many to want Lowell back

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

The Red Sox players under contract have made no secret of their desire to have veteran Mike Lowell back playing third base in Boston next season and beyond.

Lowell, the World Series MVP, is a free agent and has been in negotciations with the Red Sox and other clubs, too. The 34-year-old produced a career year for Boston and is seeking a four-year deal, but the Red Sox want to sign him for three years.

His Red Sox teammates want him back, but they also know this is a business.

Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the A.L. Rookie of the Year, has been in contact with Lowell via text messages a few times since the players returned home after the World Series celebrations, but the subject of the veteran’s future has not come up in their conversations.

Pedroia said half-jokingly today that he was going to call Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and tell him to hurry up and get the deal done.

“(Lowell) has to make the right decision for what’s best for him,” said Pedroia. “He’s earned the right to be a free agent, but obviously we want him back. He was the biggest part of our team last year.”

Pedroia has said all along that he wouldn’t have had the type of season if it were not for the help of Lowell and Alex Cora.

As for Pedroia, who had surgery to remove his hamate bone in his left hand two weeks ago, had the cast removed on Friday and only has stitches remaining. He said it’s a little stiff, but he feels normal and that he’ll be 100 percent ready for spring training.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments 1