Why is Mike Lowell playing baseball?

[Imgran]

OK, at a certain point, this just becomes stupid. Lowell is hurt, he's not hitting, he's making errors, he's even slower than usual on the basepaths, and he's showing plenty of signs that he's in obvious pain as he does it..

We've got a guy who's not helping either us or himself out there. We need him down the stretch. REST him.

At LEAST move him down in the order! This was a winnable ballgame tonight if Bay was batting in the 7th down 1 with the bases loaded instead.

Please, Tito. Wall. Writing. Read.

[Westlake]

He JUST hit a 3-run homer TODAY. He went 2-5 yesterday. Now is the time to bench him?

He had a bad game in the field today, before this game he was tied for least amount of errors in the league.

Please, Tito. Don't rest him in order to play someone MUCH worse like Cora.

[Mission 27]

You have nobody to replace Lowell with lol

Especially with Manny gone. Not that Bay hasn't done a great job, but your lineup is much weaker without Manny no matter what you say. You take Lowell out of there for someone like Cora, and you're really starting to get feeble lol. Mike Lowell is a great player. Everyone slumps.

[Imgran]

Guys, I'm not talking about performance, at least not entirely. Lowell is clearly coping with a lot of physical pain.

Yeah the GIDP has a lot to do with why I started this thread but so did the 2 errors and so also did the fact that Lowell simply looks like he's hurting.

[Imgran]

You have nobody to replace Lowell with lol

Especially with Manny gone. Not that Bay hasn't done a great job, but your lineup is much weaker without Manny no matter what you say. You take Lowell out of there for someone like Cora, and you're really starting to get feeble lol. Mike Lowell is a great player. Everyone slumps.


Not necessarily -- Youkilis can stand in at 3B competently -- at that point it's just a question of finding a competent RHH 1B. Bailey might do as a flier.

[Mission 27]

Ok, so you wanna replace Lowell with Bailey essentially? Gooooooood LUCK lol

I would love to see that as a Yankees fan.

[Imgran]

Ok, so you wanna replace Lowell with Bailey essentially? Gooooooood LUCK lol

I would love to see that as a Yankees fan.

Bearing in mind that the Lowell we're seeing ain't exactly 2007 Mike. I hate to lose his bat in the field, but I'd hate to lose him permanently in late September if resting him now might avoid that.

[The Kid]

Ok, so you wanna replace Lowell with Bailey essentially? Gooooooood LUCK lol

Pshaw. We'd call up Carter before Bailey.

[Imgran]

Disagree. Carter can't play 1B. Bailey can.

[Westlake]

Disagree. Carter can't play 1B. Bailey can.

They both suck. Bad range. These options are all awful... If anything happened to Lowell, Youk would move there are Casey would play 1st. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

[Imgran]

Something HAS happened to Lowell. It hasn't taken him out of the game but it is definitely affecting him and I don't want to lose him for the stretch run.

[sharrock]

I agree that he is clearly hurting. I have to think that there is information that we do not know and thats why Tito is still playing him. I don't even feel informed enough to speculate but I can't think this situation is as simple as it looks.

I also echo the concern of him getting so beaten up now that he is not available later. This feels like a beaten up team right now and that concerns me.

[Imgran]

Shades of Butch Hobson here that I really, really don't like. Injury is not as bad as Butch's IIRC but still... don't like to see your starting 3B playing through obvious pain.

[sharrock]

Shades of Butch Hobson here that I really, really don't like. Injury is not as bad as Butch's IIRC but still... don't like to see your starting 3B playing through obvious pain.

Yeah, I had been cursing him out lately because he seemed to swing at the first pitch every time and usually pop the ball up to the infield. For about three weeks I thought he was just off. Then I realized he was hurt and paid closer attention (I have not been able to watch many games this year).

With Manny gone, the protection and production behind Papi is based on three or four good hitters in a row. Without Lowell it looks easier and easier to get through the lineup.

[Mission 27]

Wether it's Carter, Bailey or Kasey.... these guys are all much lesser options than the veteran Mike Lowell. First of all, you wanna give up that glove at the hot corner? Have fun with that. You uninformed fans need to take a look at Mike Lowell's career stats. Last year was a fluke, he hit over 30 points higher than in any other year of his career. This year is just back to his standard career numbers.


SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
1998 New York Yankees8 15 1 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 .267 .267 .267
1999 Florida Marlins 97 308 32 78 15 0 12 47 129 26 69 0 0 .317 .419 .253
2000 Florida Marlins 140 508 73 137 38 0 22 91 241 54 75 4 0 .344 .474 .270
2001 Florida Marlins 146 551 65 156 37 0 18 100 247 43 79 1 2 .340 .448 .283
2002 Florida Marlins 160 597 88 165 44 0 24 92 281 65 92 4 3 .346 .471 .276
2003 Florida Marlins 130 492 76 136 27 1 32 105 261 56 78 3 1 .350 .530 .276
2004 Florida Marlins 158 598 87 175 44 1 27 85 302 64 77 5 1 .365 .505 .293
2005 Florida Marlins 150 500 56 118 36 1 8 58 180 46 58 4 0 .298 .360 .236
2006 Boston Red Sox153 573 79 163 47 1 20 80 272 47 61 2 2 .339 .475 .284
2007 Boston Red Sox154 589 79 191 37 2 21 120 295 53 71 3 2 .378 .501 .324
2008 Boston Red Sox99 375 49 102 25 0 14 66 169 33 52 1 2 .333 .451 .272

it's hard to read, but go here http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=136780&statType=1

Look at the man's career numbers! He's doing this year what he's always done throughout his career. Are you people blind?

[sharrock]

Mission27, I believe you were too concerned with working in 'uninformed fans' to read the thread.

This thread voices a concern that Lowell will not be available due to injury. The chances of his unavailability may be increased because he is playing through obvious pain and discomfort.

The concern is not whether Lowell's production is acceptable compared to career numbers.

Again, if you intend to use wise-ass comments it is in your best interest to read a thread and have those comments fit appropriately. Better luck next time.

[mg050369]

I'm out of area (so I don't get to see many games) but I think it comes down to how hurt he is, how much it is effecting his performance and how much a DL stint would help. If the answer to all three questions are "significantly" then I would DL him for 15 days, using Youk and Lowrie at 3B, Youk/Casey and either Carter or Bailey (lefty or righty preference) to hold down the fort at 1B for the next 15 days.

I would rather have a healthy and effective Lowell in September and October than a shell of himself for the rest of the season if 15 days on the DL can make that difference.

[Williamsburg2599]

Wether it's Carter, Bailey or Kasey.... these guys are all much lesser options than the veteran Mike Lowell. First of all, you wanna give up that glove at the hot corner? Have fun with that. You uninformed fans need to take a look at Mike Lowell's career stats. Last year was a fluke, he hit over 30 points higher than in any other year of his career. This year is just back to his standard career numbers.


SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
1998 New York Yankees8 15 1 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 .267 .267 .267
1999 Florida Marlins 97 308 32 78 15 0 12 47 129 26 69 0 0 .317 .419 .253
2000 Florida Marlins 140 508 73 137 38 0 22 91 241 54 75 4 0 .344 .474 .270
2001 Florida Marlins 146 551 65 156 37 0 18 100 247 43 79 1 2 .340 .448 .283
2002 Florida Marlins 160 597 88 165 44 0 24 92 281 65 92 4 3 .346 .471 .276
2003 Florida Marlins 130 492 76 136 27 1 32 105 261 56 78 3 1 .350 .530 .276
2004 Florida Marlins 158 598 87 175 44 1 27 85 302 64 77 5 1 .365 .505 .293
2005 Florida Marlins 150 500 56 118 36 1 8 58 180 46 58 4 0 .298 .360 .236
2006 Boston Red Sox153 573 79 163 47 1 20 80 272 47 61 2 2 .339 .475 .284
2007 Boston Red Sox154 589 79 191 37 2 21 120 295 53 71 3 2 .378 .501 .324
2008 Boston Red Sox99 375 49 102 25 0 14 66 169 33 52 1 2 .333 .451 .272

it's hard to read, but go here http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=136780&statType=1

Look at the man's career numbers! He's doing this year what he's always done throughout his career. Are you people blind?

ATTENTION:
He is injured, he is in physical pain. That is what this thread is about.

The only one uninformed is you.

[Imgran]

And down he goes. Oblique strain. See ya the last week of September or so.

Did the decision not to rest him for 2-3 days make it so that now we might lose him for much longer? I'd really like to know that.

[rwolfe09]

Don't be so cynical my friend. If Lowell is out for an extended time, looks like Youk and Casey will occupy the corners but I'd like to see someone else from Pawtucket get a shot. Saying that though would be a downgrade because Keith Ginter (.244 avg in AAA) is their third baseman right now. So stay with the Casey/Youk tandem. And maybe if for some weird reason Tito wants to play Lugo whenever he comes back, you could see Lugo at SS and Lowrie at 3B.

[Imgran]

what I'm really afraid of is

Lowrie 3B
Cora SS
Pedroia 2B
Youk 1B

[rwolfe09]

what I'm really afraid of is

Lowrie 3B
Cora SS
Pedroia 2B
Youk 1B

Don't be afraid. It's being said all over that if Lowell is out, Casey will take his ABs. So like I said..Youk to third and Casey to first.

[The Kid]

Disagree. Carter can't play 1B. Bailey can.

The hell with it. They're both outfielders playing first base. Let Casey play first. I'll take a .350 hitter over a .250 hitter any day.

[sharrock]

Lowell officially went on the DL today. Pauley called up.

An oblique strain is not something you bounce back from in two weeks as it usually robs you or torso strength for an extended period. Lots of R&R for Lowell is about the only prescription now.

I don't know if playing him through the hip issues contributed but now we get to find out what it'll be like without him.

[Imgran]

Lowell to the DL.

The outside-the-box desperation move would be to call up Anderson. A whole lot of clubs would prefer to give the young hotshot a flier rather than rely on Casey's no-power bat at 1B.

Here's another outside the box move -- trade a PTBNL to the Royals for Ryan Shealy. With Kaiihue coming up behind him I'm sure the Royals would listen to a reasonable offer, and Shealy has done it at the big league level in the past, has good numbers this year in AAA, and when he did struggle in 2007 he had an injury-related excuse..

[rwolfe09]

Imgran..they are going with the Casey/Youk combo.
I'm sure you saw that tonight. Just because Casey has no power doesn't mean he's not a threat. Casey is a great hitter and a great sport. The Mayor came to Boston knowing he would warm the bench and still was one of the happiest (if not the happiest) player on the team. His presence in the lineup and his never-ending smile will definately help the Red Sox..mark my words.

[Evangelion]

Youkillis, Ortiz, Drew and Bay are enough power for the Red Sox. The Red Sox don't need a slugging 1B like other clubs. Before this year, Youkillis wasn't exactly a power threat at 1B. Casey will hit for average and get on base and the others will bring him in. If Casey wasn't here, I won't mind giving these rookies a chance, but not while he's here and producing.

[Imgran]

Youkillis, Ortiz, Drew and Bay are enough power for the Red Sox. The Red Sox don't need a slugging 1B like other clubs. Before this year, Youkillis wasn't exactly a power threat at 1B. Casey will hit for average and get on base and the others will bring him in. If Casey wasn't here, I won't mind giving these rookies a chance, but not while he's here and producing.


While that's true, you don't pass up an opportunity to improve the ballclub if you can do it with a low-cost move. You certainly don't do it just because what we have is good enough -- that's third-place thinking. If you can upgrade a position without sacrificing the future do it.

Which means it comes down to the question of whether you can inexpensively upgrade over the Sean Casey experience. I think you can. You guys seem to disagree -- that's cool.

[rwolfe09]

Stick with what you know.
Casey and Youk is the best option.
I understand you have your own opinion Imgran..we all do..but we are all just trying to explain that though you make a valid point, it would be nuts for the Red Sox to go out and pick up someone else just for a few weeks when they have a good replacement already.

[sharrock]

Stick with what you know.
Casey and Youk is the best option.
I understand you have your own opinion Imgran..we all do..but we are all just trying to explain that though you make a valid point, it would be nuts for the Red Sox to go out and pick up someone else just for a few weeks when they have a good replacement already.

I disagree. It would actually be much nuttier for the Red Sox NOT to be scouring the waiver wire and pursuing possible trades to add depth to the 1B/3B rotation.

Yes, Casey and Youk are the starters at the corners until Lowell is back. But anyone who is comfortable with that situation, enough not to look at all options, is not recognizing some basic facts: That Youk is prone to getting worn down and fading at the end of the regular season (and he has a shoulder injury), Casey is a back-up for a reason (he needs rest, he shows his age).

It goes without saying that these two have the positions. But the Sox, I'm sure, are being diligent and seeing what options are available to them which includes a potential trade. In the end, Bailey and others may provide the necessary depth but why limit your options?