With Alex Rodriguez all but set for re-entry into the Yankees’ universe, it doesn’t mean the Yankees have lost interest in free agent Mike Lowell.
A Yankees official confirmed yesterday the club is talking to the World Series MVP about moving from third to first and playing for the team he broke into professional baseball with.
Until Tuesday, the world champion Red Sox had Lowell, 34 in February, to themselves regarding financial discussions. Immediately following the Red Sox four-game sweep of the Rockies, Lowell spoke of wanting to stay in Boston. However, the Yankees let him know they were willing to talk to him even Rodriguez returned. Now, with Rodriguez close to coming back, the Yankees want Lowell to play first base.
Lowell, who broke into the big leagues by playing seven games for the 1998 Yankees, has never played first base. He has Gold Glove skills at third, but the Yankees aren’t worried about him making the move.
“All I can say at this time is that the Yankees have engaged us,” said Lowell’s agent, Seth Levinson.
After making $9 million last year – the final season of a three-year, $25.5 million deal – Lowell is in for a raise (three years/$42 million?). With the Yankees insisting Jason Giambi’s final season in pinstripes be as a DH, if he isn’t somehow traded, they are investigating an offensive upgrade over the returning Andy Phillips.
According to Hank Steinbrenner there was nothing new with Mariano Rivera’s situation yesterday. Rivera has been offered a three-year deal worth $15 million, and the Yankees are waiting to see if being paid $4 million more than the next highest relief pitcher (Billy Wagner) is enough for Rivera.
Joe Torre said last night the Dodgers are interested in Rivera if he wants to leave the Yankees.
“Anybody who doesn’t want him is crazy. Let’s put it that way,” Torre told the Associated Press. “I haven’t talked to him about it, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t [remain with the Yankees] … I don’t know what he’s thinking at this point in time.”
Torre also said Ron Guidry would not come to LA as his pitching coach. He said he wasn’t sure if Guidry would join the Yankees in spring training as a special instructor. “He’s just going to stay home,” Torre said.
Jorge Posada, who has agreed to a four-year deal worth $52.4 million, underwent a physical yesterday in Manhattan. … The Yankees are getting close to signing backup catcher Jose Molina to a two-year deal.
Hideki Matsui underwent arthroscopic surgery yesterday to clean out the inside of the right knee that had been bothering him since spring training. The procedure was performed by Dr. Scott Rodeo at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Matsui will begin his rehabilitation program on Friday in New York and is scheduled to be ready for the start of spring training.