Lowell signs a 3-year deal with Boston

Millions of Red Sox fans including myself let out a collective sigh of relief today as it was announced that World Series MVP Mike Lowell re-signed with Boston for 3 years and $37.6 million. While Lowell may have been looking for 4 years, he also indicated that he wanted to be in Boston. And I won't lie, when Hank and Hal started waiving around cash in the hopes that Lowell would re-join the New York club that drafted him, I wouldn't have been surprised. Not because of the money, but a 4-year deal at a less demanding position with his original team may have been attractive, but over the last two years it has become very clear that Lowell has developed some relationships with players, coaches, and obviously fans in Boston that may have been one of the driving forces. Whereas I can't speak for all Boston fans, I am happy to have Lowell back, not because I think he'll put up the the numbers he did this year, but rather because he is one of the best guys to be around all the young talent that the Sox have. Thanks Mike!

No real surprise here - Kevin Youkalis wins first Gold Glove!

I'll update this with more info a little later, but I wanted to note that Kevin Youkalis became Boston's newest Gold Glove winner. Youkalis, who did not have an error in 2007, is the first Red Sox Gold Glove winner since Jason Varitek won a few years back. Mike Lowell won a Gold Glove while with Florida. IN more unfortunate new, Coco Crisp came in forth in voting for a Gold Glove given to the top 3 vote getters in the outfield. Of the three that won GGs, only Tori Hunter had a better play percentage, but votes are votes and popularity is a big part of it. Oh well, congrats to YOUK!

Fans have spoken: Keep Lowell!

World Series MVP Mike Lowell is going to get a sizable contract from one lucky major league team. Lowell, a unrestricted free agent, came to Boston is a trade to acquire Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins. Beckett, the 2003 World Series MVP was the hard-throwing right hander Boston was seeking, while Lowell considered himself a "throw-in."
A former Gold Glove winner, Lowell had a good 2006 season and a record setting 2007 season when he set a record for RBIs by a Red Sox 3rd baseman with 120, which was also the team high.
While almost flying under the radar for most of the post-season, Lowell was quietly contributing, batting .333. The after his decisive home run in game four, Lowell was the writers' choice for series MVP.
As Boston fans made their way to the lower levels of Coors Field, they chanted, "re-sign Lowell" and "Don't sign A-Rod." The chants were continued on Tuesday as the Red Sox took to the streets of Boston. And while Curt Schilling has made the most noise about free agency thus far from a Red Sox player's perspective, it is Lowell who the fans want to hear about.
Fans know that baseball is business, but sometime the right guy is better than the right statistics. Boston fans would probably be less welcoming to A-Rod than they were to J.D. Drew and Drew never tried to swap at one of the Red Sox pitchers.
While the Red Sox brass is very reluctant to sign a soon to be 34-year-old to more than two or three year deal, the Red Sox would do well to make a damned good offer to this man.
For this fan, the choice is clear - resign Lowell and keep a throwback hard-working player. Then again, if it was up to me, they'd re-sign him and he join Jason Varitek as co-captain of the Red Sox. Wishful thinking. I know!