Kuzul

It doesn’t seem too long ago that I was standing among a mass of Red Sox fans in the streets of Boston at the 2007 World Series Championship parade. What I will never forget from that day, aside from Jonathan Papelbon’s horrible Irish step-dancing, is the unwavering support that was shown to former Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.People may forget, but it was that offseason that Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees, making it possible for Boston to try and pursue him. Now there is no question that A-Rod’s talent far outweighed that of Mike Lowell. But for Sox fans, it was not about that. It was about the character that Lowell had shown on a consistent basis that made him the guy that Boston fans wanted as their everyday third baseman. Chants of “Re-sign Lowell” rang down upon the famous duck boats, and it ...

Mike Lowell will be honored tonight by the Boston Red Sox with "Thanks, Mike Night", as we say goodbye to the consummate professional after 13 remarkable seasons. Lowell has announced that he will retire at the end of this season.It's been a tumultuous year for the once slick-fielding third baseman. Lowell has been on the verge of being granted his outright release multiple times throughout the season, and has had to endure being relegated to the bench for the first time in his career.But good things come to those who wait, as Lowell will finish his major league career this weekend against the New York Yankees as the Red Sox starting third baseman. Adrian Beltre, Boston's regular third baseman and Lowell's replacement in 2010, has left the team to witness the birth of his third child.So with Lowell at the plate and bat at the ready, let's take a look ...

With the 2010 regular season coming to a close and the playoff picture starting to become a little clearer every day, there are some teams that will focus on free agency and which players they are going to bring back or which players they could possibly land this offseason. One of those players that will hit the free agent market is third baseman Adrian Beltre, who seemed to reinvent himself this season as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Beltre has hit .325 with 28 home runs and 102 runs batted in, his best combined numbers since his 2004 season as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Beltre isn't the only third baseman that will be on the market. Here are 10 of the top third basemen that will be looked at in free agency.Begin Slideshow

Amid intensifying trade negotiations for Florida Marlin Jorge Cantu, the Texas Rangers have reportedly lost interest in Boston third baseman Mike Lowell, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Texas' fluctuating interest in Boston's oft-injured backup third baseman has been well documented, and this writer most recently covered it in another article primarily dealing with Detroit's reported interest in Lowell. Poised to acquire the far younger and more productive Cantu, the Rangers have understandably cooled on acquiring the waning Lowell. Edes also reports that the Detroit Tigers, the most recent front-runners for Lowell's dubious services, are unlikely to make a move for the 36-year-old. Although Detroit has hemorrhaged hitters in recent days, losing outfielder Magglio Ordonez and infielders Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen, they seem less than interested in taking on any portion of the roughly $4.2 million remaining on Lowell's contract. Apparently Tigers scouting director David Chadd personally checked in on Lowell over the weekend ...

The Detroit Tigers are looking to acquire Boston backup third baseman Mike Lowell to temporarily replace the injured Brandon Inge, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Inge had been hitting .263 with a .755 OPS and was wielding a decent glove before landing on the disabled list for six weeks with a broken hand. While Lowell is still owed a little less than $5 million this year and has spent most of the season languishing on the DL, he represents one of the most affordable short-term fixes at the hot corner currently on the market. Lowell is just now looking to come off the disabled list and is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, also according to Knobler. In 91 plate appearances at the Major League level this year, Lowell has hit .213 with 2 homers and a .658 OPS. Since before Spring Training, it has been well known that ...

After dealing Justin Smoak and his right-handed bat for Cliff Lee, the Texas Rangers may have increased interest in reviving an offseason trade for Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, according to WEEI Sportsradio Network's Rob Bradford. Both Smoak's departure and corner-infielder Chris Davis' offensive struggles may force the American League West leaders to acquire a player of Lowell's caliber to at least platoon with the likes of Davis. While Lowell is currently on the disabled list rehabilitating a strained hip, the Rangers are "monitoring" his progress closely in the event they cannot acquire a better replacement for Smoak. Interestingly, moving Lowell could be an important factor for the Red Sox in freeing up roster space for another catcher or outfielder. Anyone the Red Sox pick up before the trade deadline certainly cannot be sent down once Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, and Jeremy Hermida return from the disabled list. Lowell has put up ...

The Red Sox activated Daisuke Matsuzaka in last night’s series-finale against the Colorado Rockies. In order to make room for him on the roster, Boston placed third baseman Mike Lowell on the 15-day DL. Lowell reported that he felt a twinge in his right hip during pregame drills on Tuesday night. He said he will consult with his hip surgeon, Brian Kelly, to determine his next course of action. It is uncertain as to whether he will need another cortisone shot or a Synvisc injection, but he seemed to be leaning in the direction of a cortisone shot. Lowell says the cortisone shots tend to help for a longer period than the Synvisc, but that he’s hesitant to have too many because of the cartilage deterioration they cause. The Synvisc injection provides substantial improvement for just a few days after which, the effects quickly wear off. Lowell reportedly informed manager Terry Francona, via text message, of ...

As we inch closer and closer to Major League Baseball's trade deadline at the end of July, the rumors will start flying fast and furious. There have already been a few rumors shot down in the last few weeks, including one that was about to send an ace to a team that wouldn't have any way of picking up his remaining salary because of their financial trouble. Why some of these rumors get started is beyond me, but that's what makes baseball, and the trade deadline, fun. We can talk about players, possible moves that our teams should or shouldn't make, and how those potential trades could affect said team in the playoff race. So who are the hot names making the rounds on the rumor sheets right now? I'm glad you asked, let's get to it.Begin Slideshow

Fans of all sports love a comeback, a return to greatness, a story of redemption. This year, much has been made of Barry Zito's new-found pitching poise, Vladimir Guerrero's resurgent bat, and Vernon Wells' revitalized swing, among other motivating stories. Rightfully so, but these are relatively minor turnarounds compared to some of MLB's true, claw-back-from-the-brink comeback stories. Here are 10 of the top comebacks in MLB history.Begin Slideshow

Mlbtraderumors. com reports that the Twins and Rangers are the two teams rumored to be most interested in acquiring Mike Lowell from the Red Sox.  Makes sense to me. The Rangers were reported to have strong interest in Lowell this offseason, but nothing got done. Apparently this was because of the Rangers’ current financial problems (the rumors I recall had the Rangers agreeing to pay $2.5 to $3.0 million of the $12 million owed by the BoSox to Lowell in 2010 and the Sox receiving one or two B-grade prospects) and also because of on-going concerns about whether or not Lowell’s right thumb had really healed after he had surgery on it this offseason. After tonight’s game, Lowell is only hitting .215 with a .666 OPS.  However, he hasn’t been playing much, with Adrian Beltre, Kevin Youkilis, and David Ortiz all healthy and performing well. Even with Lowell’s poor production so ...