New Lowell Article from Sun-Sentinel

Lowell's longevity tied to ballpark deal

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted December 4 2003

If you build it, he will stay.

Wednesday, the Marlins officially announced the deal that will keep All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell in a Marlins uniform a minimum of one season and maximum of four. Whether Lowell stays through 2007 hinges on the team's ability to secure financing for a ballpark.

If stadium plans aren't solidified by Nov. 1, 2004, Lowell can opt out of what potentially is a four-year, $32 million deal. He is guaranteed $6.5 million next season and holds a $7.5 million option for 2005.

Without a new facility and its accompanying revenue boost, the Marlins would be off the hook for the remaining $18 million for the final two seasons.

"We could not have Mike Lowell on our team if there is no new stadium," team President David Samson said. "That's the bottom line. ... It's not even a discussion. There would not be the revenue, and there is no possibility."

Lowell, 29, and the Marlins will know well before November whether he'll be a free agent sooner than later. The Miami-Dade County Commission set March 15 as a deadline for the team to secure financing. If they fail, the $73 million the commission pledged will be allocated elsewhere.

A standout at Coral Gables High School and Florida International University, Lowell hopes he won't have to make the call to stay or go after next season. He was open to a deal with a stadium clause from the outset. Once he was confident of the team's prospects of making it happen, he agreed.

"I understand the situation," Lowell said. "To pay me those last two years you need extra revenue, keeping in mind that [Josh] Beckett and [brad] Penny and [Miguel] Cabrera, all those guys are going to be hitting arbitration or free agency. The goal is to keep everyone."

Lowell would earn $9 million apiece in each of his final two seasons, although $500,000 would be deferred without interest from each of his 2006 and 2007 salaries. That money would be paid at the conclusion of the contract.

If Lowell is traded, no money would be deferred and the final two years would become guaranteed. There's also a $250,000 severance payment if Lowell doesn't exercise his option for 2005.

TICK TOCK

Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest said he remains in communication with Scott Boras, the agent for free-agent catcher Pudge Rodriguez. If the two sides do not reach an agreement by Sunday, the Marlins lose negotiating rights with him until May, as they are contractually precluded from offering him arbitration.

Reached late Tuesday night, Boras said: "I spent a good deal of time understanding David and Admin's plight. ... I let the players make the call. I'm negotiating with a number of teams regarding Pudge, and Florida is just one of them."

Sources said the Marlins have offered a two-year deal in the $16 millon range.

"Pudge has given me very specific designs," Boras said. "We have a player who had a great year. We said we wanted a multiyear contract, and obviously he wanted an increase based upon the fact that players get paid for having great years."