Phils pop up in Lowe rumors
The Phillies have one unsolidified spot in the starting rotation going into 2009, and they are rumored to be interested in filling that with the best free-agent pitcher left in the market, Derek Lowe.
SI.com is reporting that the Phillies have shown interest in the 35-year-old right-hander, along with the Braves, Red Sox, Brewers and Angels. The Mets made an offer at about three years, $36 million, which Jon Heyman said Lowe "isn't seriously considering," leaving the door open for other suitors.
Lowe, 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA in 34 starts for the Dodgers in 2008, is said to be seeking $16 million per year -- which makes the Mets' offer a bit too low. The fact Philadelphia would come up in rumors to acquire a pricy starting pitcher is quite surprising, considering it has already absorbed most of its payroll for 2009 -- expected to be slightly higher than 2008's club-record $104 million -- with current player contracts and potential arbitration cases.
But the acquisition of Lowe would give the Phillies a very potent top of the rotation, along with left-hander and World Series MVP Cole Hamels. The other three spots in the rotation will be filled by Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer.
-- Alden Gonzalez
I think adding Derek Lowe to the Phillies' starting rotation would be a good thing for the ballclub, especially in light of the Mets acquiring of K-Rod and JJ Putz. My one concern is Lowe's pricetag, which does not come cheap. The Phillies need to sign Cole Hamels to a long-term deal first, but delaying that action and making Lowe a higher priority I think would be a huge miscue for Amaro.
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There is no doubt Derek Lowe would be a great addition to the starting rotation of the Phillies. Money seems to be the big concern obviously. I guess it all comes down to economics and the bottom line is whether the Phils would make more money with him in the line-up or not. Will more people come to watch the team with a legitimate shot at repeating with him IN the line-up and therefore ease the hit of his price tag? I'm sure the Phils brass are working on that one... Without him in the line-up, the team will be hard pressed to beat the Mets for a third straight year who have beefed up their team where it needed to the most. The Phils would not have been where they were without a collapsing Mets bullpen and the Phils bullpen being so perfect. Not an easy task to repeat. Lowe is a sinkerball pitcher who induces ground ball outs and in Citizen's Bank Park that is essential to do- especially with one of the best infield defences in all of baseball. Not many top of the line, durable, sinkerball pitchers available and now they have a shot at him. As Phils fan and a baseball fan- I sure hope they can find a way. Coming to the World $@%!'n Champions is a nice recruiting tool too.. : )
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It would make sense for the Phillies to sign Lowe. In the playoffs, it was not ideal having Moyer or Myers as thier #2 guy. They rode Hamels all the way to the championship. Now they could have Lowe and Hamels, pitching 4 of 5 games in a 5 game set. Would they rather see the Mets get him and end up facing Johan and Lowe ? I don't think so.
Tom
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I think the Phillies would be foolish not to sign Lowe. World Champs! He has the perfect sinker to pitch here with success. The rotation would be unstoppable. Hamels, Lowe, Myers, Blanton, & Moyer. They could then trade Kendrick for something they need. Win win for Phils! It would be another victory over Mets
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Not gonna happen.
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