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Lowell re-signs for three years, $37.5 million

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- The Red Sox finished their holiday shopping early, re-signing free agent third baseman Mike Lowell today to a three-year deal worth $37.5 million according to someone with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The salary will be $12 million for each of the next three years, with a $1.5 million signing bonus.

Lowell's signing means the Sox will return the 2007 team almost in its entirety. Earlier this month, the Sox also re-signed pitcher Curt Schilling to a one-year deal.

The Sox had made it clear from the beginning that they were not willing to give Lowell a four-year deal, an approach they had previously taken with Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon.

Lowell attracted various levels of interest from the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and at least some of those clubs were apparently willing to go to a fourth year.

But Lowell made clear that he would prefer to remain with the Sox. His long-term contract, which paid him $9 million annually, expired after the season.

With the 2007 World Series MVP back under contract, the Sox' off-season wish list has shrunk to the depth positions. The Sox could still use a veteran outfielder, a corner infielder and perhaps an upgrade over Doug Mirabelli at the backup catcher position.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments 3

Herald: Sox, Lowell agree to terms

The Boston Herald's Rob Bradford, quoting an unnamed source, reports that the Red Sox and Mike Lowell have agreed to a three-year deal worth $12 million to $13 million a year. The deal will not be finalized today, Bradford says, quoting the source.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:18 PM | Permalink

Angels trade former Sox hero Cabrera

CHICAGO (AP) — The White Sox traded right-hander Jon Garland to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

The 28-year-old Garland, an 18-game winner in 2005 and 2006, was 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts last season. He 92-81 with a 4.41 ERA in 246 games, including 223 starts, over eight major league seasons, all with the White Sox.

Garland was acquired by the White Sox from the Cubs on July 29, 1998, for pitcher Matt Karchner.

Cabrera, 33, batted .301 with 35 doubles, eight home runs, 86 RBIs and a career-high 101 runs with the Angels last year. He had a career-high 192 hits.

He won his second Gold Glove and led AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.983). Cabrera, who has also played with Montreal and Boston during his 11-year career, is a career .273 hitter. He was on the 2004 Red Sox team that won the World Series.

Chicago also receives cash as part of the trade.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:15 PM | Permalink

ESPN says Lowell deal near with Sox

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting today that Mike Lowell and the Red Sox are close to a three-year deal.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments 1