Re: MLB- WINTER MEETING NEWS & RUMORS
Bye bye Lowell.
INDIANAPOLIS - The Rangers and Red Sox reached preliminary agreement late Wednesday night on a trade that will send Mike Lowell to Texas for catcher/first baseman Max Ramirez, major league sources told FOXSports.com.
The deal is not final, however, for a number of reasons.
The approval of Boston's ownership is required, because the Red Sox will be assuming nearly all of the $12 million due to Lowell in 2010, the final year of his current contract.
The teams must exchange medical information — not a mere formality in this case. Lowell had hip surgery last year.
Major League Baseball must also grant its permission prior to the deal's completion, because the amount of the cash transfer is so large. (Any deal involving an exchange of $1 million or more must be approved by the commissioner's office.)
Assuming the deal is finalized, Lowell will get at-bats as a first baseman and designated hitter in Texas. He can't play third base, his customary position, because All-Star Michael Young is the everyday player there.
Lowell has never played first base in a major league game. He will turn 36 in February.
The Red Sox had considered acquiring Milton Bradley from the Cubs prior to reaching the agreement with Texas to move Lowell, the sources said.
Boston had been trying to move Lowell for some time. The Red Sox now have the option of acquiring a first baseman and moving Kevin Youkilis to third. They may also sign a free agent third baseman, such as Adrian Beltre, and keep Youkilis at first.
