It's quite simple actually. Mike Lowell is going to make $8 Million next season if he exercises his option to stay with Florida. I can just about promise you that Lowell would not get any contract longer than 3 years (what's remaining on his current deal) for more than $24 Million. That's $8 Million a season for 3 years. If he stayed in Florida, he'd actually make more than that with his salary increasing after each season.

 

Coming off a season where he hit just 27 home runs with 85 RBI in 158 games, I would be extremely suprised to see him get any more than that on the FA Market, especially with the third basemen all the big money teams currently have (Yankees, Rodriguez; Red Sox, Mueller and Youkillis; Angels, Glaus; Orioles, Mora; Cardinals, Rolen; Cubs, Ramirez; Rangers, Blalock).

 

Discuss.

We are essentially getting ripped.

With Mike I really believe its not all about the money. But by playing this year with the fish he might still become a FA next year. 3years for 24M or equally 2 years at 16M might not be on the table then. He knows were he is at physically, and then the family issues that we really can't guess on.

 

I want him to be a fish for life (except for the few with the Yanks). He deserves a bit of a premium, even if we really cant afford to give it to him.

We are essentially getting ripped.

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Not if he puts together the same kind of year in 2003. But if he keeps doing what he did this year, he's no $8-10 Million player.

I don't think we are getting ripped. But we ain't getting a bargain either. I hope he has a year like 03, like WC said.

I say we re-sign him and if he isn't up to his 2003 standards, then I want him traded to a contender for some prospects or something.