January 13, 200917 yr By Jon Heyman, SI.com Free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is in serious discussions with the Atlanta Braves, SI.com has learned. The Braves are trying hard to finalize a deal that would solidify their rotation. The deal for Lowe is believed to be for close to $60 million over four years. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported the Braves were offering about $15 million per year in their efforts to beat the rival New York Mets to Lowe. Lowe, who blossomed several years ago with the Boston Red Sox, is hoping to come back east after four successful yet unfulfilling seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lowe also is believed to prefer the National League. Lowe, who went 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA with the Dodgers last year and is 126-107 for his career, would salvage the Braves' offseason after they tried hard but failed to land star right-handers Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett and shortstop Rafael Furcal. The Mets, who have offered Lowe $36 million over three years, recently started talking dollars with free agent Oliver Perez as they may sense their chances of landing Lowe diminishing. The Mets are proposing a three-year deal for close to $30 million for Perez, although, a four-year deal for Lowe, who at 35 is eight years Perez's senior, may convince them they need to give him another year. Mets general manager Omar Minaya has preferred Perez all along, but other members of their front office like Lowe. The Mets aren't certain what other teams may be bidding on Perez. Should they fail to sign Perez, they are expected to turn to left-hander Randy Wolf. Pedro Martinez looks less likely now that the Mets have signed Tim Redding, who's likely to fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation. I really wish hed go to some team out of our DIV or to the AL.
January 13, 200917 yr While I will be happy as long he doesn't go to the Mets, I would also prefer he doesn't go to the Braves. Lesser of two evils I suppose.
January 13, 200917 yr SIGNED with Braves pending physical. 4-years, $60 Million. I actually like this deal for the NL East.
January 13, 200917 yr SIGNED with Braves pending physical. 4-years, $60 Million. I actually like this deal for the NL East. Yep, both of the East divisions are gonna be even crazier than usual this year. Outside of the Nationals and Orioles, all the teams are good to great.
January 13, 200917 yr SIGNED with Braves pending physical. 4-years, $60 Million. I actually like this deal for the NL East. Yep, both of the East divisions are gonna be even crazier than usual this year. Outside of the Nationals and Orioles, all the teams are good to great. Well, I like it because I doubt Lowe is going to live up to this contract through four years.
January 13, 200917 yr wow the braves rotation just got very good with lowe jurrgens kawakami and vazquez
January 13, 200917 yr wow the braves rotation just got very good with lowe jurrgens kawakami and vazquez When they have Tommy Hanson at #5, that will be insane.
January 13, 200917 yr i think lowe is good, but not great. If you look at his era he proves to be a much better playoff pitcher than regular season pitcher. I think he had a 5.00+ era last year in a very weak NL West.
January 13, 200917 yr i think lowe is good, but not great. If you look at his era he proves to be a much better playoff pitcher than regular season pitcher. I think he had a 5.00+ era last year in a very weak NL West. 3.24 ERA, 1.133 WHIP. I really hope he doesn't end up in ATL, I hate facing sinkerballers.
January 13, 200917 yr i think lowe is good, but not great. If you look at his era he proves to be a much better playoff pitcher than regular season pitcher. I think he had a 5.00+ era last year in a very weak NL West. Try a 3.24 ERA...
January 13, 200917 yr f*** he's basically a Brave but hey you never know he might have been drunk the night before or something and failed the physical.
January 13, 200917 yr Holy sh*t 60 Mil Im sorry but I doubt he lasts 4 years Hopefully we can Rock Him, again
January 13, 200917 yr Author Holy sh*t 60 Mil Im sorry but I doubt he lasts 4 years Hopefully we can Rock Him, again Im pretty sure hes been one of the more reliable pitchers over the years.
January 13, 200917 yr i think lowe is good, but not great. If you look at his era he proves to be a much better playoff pitcher than regular season pitcher. I think he had a 5.00+ era last year in a very weak NL West. Try a 3.24 ERA... might of been thinkig Penny....
January 13, 200917 yr Holy sh*t 60 Mil Im sorry but I doubt he lasts 4 years Hopefully we can Rock Him, again Im pretty sure hes been one of the more reliable pitchers over the years. That's true. He's been in the top 10th in starts in his league every year but one (where he was tied for 20th) since he's become a starter in 2002. Since 2002, he's been 5th in starts in all of baseball.
January 14, 200917 yr I still think the Marlins have a better rotation than the Braves. On paper without counting Miller we have one of the best rotations in the league! IMO In the top 5 if not atleast top 10
January 14, 200917 yr Author I still think the Marlins have a better rotation than the Braves. On paper without counting Miller we have one of the best rotations in the league! IMO In the top 5 if not atleast top 10 Ass long as the injury bug doesn't get us I think were gonna have a great year from our rotation. Man if miller can get it together like we've seen a few times watch out.
January 14, 200917 yr 60 million is way too much for Lowe. So is four years... How so? Since he came to the NL in 2004, he's been 2nd in Starts, 17th in ERA (amongst starters with at least 200 IP), 7th in CG, 18th in WHIP, and 16th in BB/9. I think he deserves 4 years. And yes, he is a bit older, but being a sinkerballer gives him extra time.
January 14, 200917 yr 60 million is way too much for Lowe. So is four years... How so? Since he came to the NL in 2004, he's been 2nd in Starts, 17th in ERA (amongst starters with at least 200 IP), 7th in CG, 18th in WHIP, and 16th in BB/9. I think he deserves 4 years. And yes, he is a bit older, but being a sinkerballer gives him extra time. It's a risk.
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