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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cote: Adding Mike Lowell would be smart move by Florida Marlins

Known for his wit and sharp insight, Greg Cote has-been (sorry..couldn’t resist)...

Some things make sense all sorts of ways, weighing in as pragmatic to the rational mind and feeling gut-instinct right to the sentimental heart all at once.

The Marlins have one of those situations this spring and should jump on it.

Bring back Mike Lowell.

For sure, it has to make sense for the Marlins first—has to be a business decision that enhances the team’s playoff chances in 2010—and it passes that essential test.

The rest of it wouldn’t be enough if it didn’t make Florida a bigger, better team, but the rest of it is a nice bonus that bears noting.

Lowell is one of us. Raised in Miami, of Cuban heritage, right off the campus of FIU and, of course, a popular player with the Marlins from 1999 through 2005 and still the club’s all-time leader in home runs.

I always have thought Lowell, even more than Jeff Conine, deserved that ``Mr. Marlin’’ designation (to the degree anyone from a mere 18-year-old franchise can).

Repoz Posted: March 17, 2010 at 11:07 AM | 13 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Sabermetrics, Boston, Florida

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1. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: March 17, 2010 at 12:28 PM (#3480504)

I heard the Red Sox were having internal discussions about trading Lowell for Hanley Ramirez. It's as good as done.

2. AROM Posted: March 17, 2010 at 12:39 PM (#3480511)

Sanchez and Morrison are pretty good prospects. I don't know if it makes sense to block them for a banged up declining vet.

My runs per 150 game projections:
Sanchez +4
Lowell +3
Cantu 0
Morrison -2

Is an ever so slight gain and additional veteran leadership worth delaying their development another year?

3. AROM Posted: March 17, 2010 at 12:40 PM (#3480513)

I suppose Lowell going to the Cardinals would mean a .325, 130 RBI season, given the track record of players they take after the Red Sox pay them to go away.

4. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: March 17, 2010 at 12:58 PM (#3480524)

Sanchez and Morrison are pretty good prospects. I don't know if it makes sense to block them for a banged up declining vet.

I assume they were thinking of Lowell for 3B. The Marlins don't really have a 3B better than even a semi-crippled Lowell.

5. AROM Posted: March 17, 2010 at 01:22 PM (#3480539)

Sanchez plays both first and third. He's decent with the glove. Cantu used to play 3rd, but was awful there.

6. Famous Original Joe C Posted: March 17, 2010 at 01:26 PM (#3480543)

My runs per 150 game projections:
Sanchez +4
Lowell +3
Cantu 0
Morrison -2

AROM, I noticed that you have Lowell projected as a +3 defensively - which makes up all of that +3 you've got for Lowell. I understand why that's his projection, based on the numbers - but do you buy that he'll be a plus defender this year? I sure don't.

7. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: March 17, 2010 at 01:28 PM (#3480545)

Sanchez plays both first and third. He's decent with the glove. Cantu used to play 3rd, but was awful there.

So, would a 3-man (Lowell/Sanchez/Morrison) 1B/3B job share make sense? Morrison is a lefty, the other two RH. Lowell probably isn't good for more than 100 Gs at this point, and Cantu is awful.

8. AROM Posted: March 17, 2010 at 01:40 PM (#3480559)

but do you buy that he'll be a plus defender this year? I sure don't.

No, I don't. The projections don't know anything at all about lingering injury issues, and the way the Red Sox have tried to unload him this winter suggests that his time at third is over. Before the trade fell through, I think the Rangers were looking at him as a DH.

9. bond1 Posted: March 18, 2010 at 12:45 AM (#3481223)

I suppose Lowell going to the Cardinals would mean a .325, 130 RBI season, given the track record of players they take after the Red Sox pay them to go away.

I don't remember Julio Lugo doing anything spectacular in St. Louis.

10. bond1 Posted: March 18, 2010 at 01:11 AM (#3481233)

OK I'm stumped. Who did the Bosox give away to the Cards who suddenly improved? Are you sure you don't mean the Yankees?

11. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: March 18, 2010 at 01:39 AM (#3481239)

OK I'm stumped. Who did the Bosox give away to the Cards who suddenly improved? Are you sure you don't mean the Yankees?

Joel Pineiro for sure. Don't recall any others.

12. Fancy Pants Handle is the AntAgonizer Posted: March 18, 2010 at 02:14 AM (#3481261)

OK I'm stumped. Who did the Bosox give away to the Cards who suddenly improved? Are you sure you don't mean the Yankees?

Is his sarcasm? I think my detector is on the fritz, I left it on while I was watching the Daily Show...

Anyways, it's Lugo & Smoltz. They both had rediculously hot starts, which didn't help the general perception of course. But evan on a whole 107 OPS+ from SS, and league averageish ERA+ from Smoltz, Boston would have killed for that last year. Luho in his first 13 games had an OPS over 1.000, and Smoltz's ERA in his first 6* starts was 3.16. So you can see where the perception comes from....

'(out of 7 starts, his last start dropped his ERA over a run...)

13. bond1 Posted: March 18, 2010 at 04:27 AM (#3481308)

Ok thanks. I remember Lugo's hot start but he was stinking it up in September. I had also thought Boggs improved markedly in NY but that wasn't really the case.

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cote: Adding Mike Lowell would be smart move by Florida Marlins

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