Knuckle Curve » derek lowe

Derek Lowe signs with the Atlanta Braves

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:21:48 +0000

The most sought after free agent starting pitcher is no longer on the market. Derek Lowe, who we had listed as the second best free agent still available, has reportedly signed a four-year deal to join the Atlanta Braves.

While the New York Mets wanted Lowe, the Braves got their man by giving Lowe $60 million over four years. In Atlanta, Lowe will likely become the ace of the pitching staff.

The big risk for the Braves is the fact that Lowe is 35 years old. Giving a pitcher of his age four guaranteed years is risky business. However, after the Braves lost out on all of their previous big name free agent targets, they obviously viewed Lowe as a player they needed to get.

As for the Mets, they will be forced to look elsewhere. Names that have been associated with the Mets include Randy Wolf and Ben Sheets. They could also opt to bring back Oliver Perez.

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Top Ten Baseball Free Agents Still Available

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:25:51 +0000

1. Manny Ramirez
Could Ramirez be heading to the Giants?

2. Derek Lowe
The Mets are after Lowe.

3. Adam Dunn
Dunn might replace Ramirez in Los Angeles.

4. Milton Bradley
The latest rumors have the Cubs most interested.

5. Oliver Perez
Expect the Mets to retain him.

6. Pat Burrell
The Phillies look to be moving on.

7. Orlando Hudson
Sleeper of the free agent market.

8. Bobby Abreu
Breaking down but still a solid player.

9. Ben Sheets
Risky signing but could reward.

10. Randy Wolf
Could quietly be steal of the offseason.

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Derek Lowe Offered $36M by Mets

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:22:37 +0000

Derek Lowe is arguably the most sought after free agent starting pitcher left on the market. When we speculated Lowe’s possible destinations, we put the New York Mets at the top of the list. On Tuesday, the Mets made a move to acquire Lowe.

According to multiple reports, the Mets have offered Lowe a contract that is worth $36 million over three years. However, Lowe’s agent reportedly wants a five-year contract for the 35-year-old hurler.

While that might be what the agent wants, it’s unlikely that a team is going to give Lowe a contract that will pay him until the age of 40. This three-year deal from New York could very well be the best deal that Lowe gets offered during the offseason.

If the Mets are able to land Lowe, they will have completed a drastic overhaul to their pitching staff. They’ve already added Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz to their bullpen. Adding Lowe to the starting rotation could end being equally as important.

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Rumors about Baseball Free Agents 2008

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:21:19 +0000

Mark Teixeira
It sounds like the Los Angeles Angels are going to do whatever it takes to keep Mark Teixeira. The first baseman who they traded for in the middle of the 2008 season is a player the team would hate to see let go. Others thought to be interested include the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles.

CC Sabathia
The 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner pitched great for the Milwaukee Brewers after they aquired him in a midseason trade. The Brewers want to keep him and are reportedly willing to give him $20 million per year for the next five years. However, it is also being reported that Sabathia is being wooed by Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees.

Ryan Ludwick
In 2008, Ryan Ludwick had a breakout season. He got named to the National League All-Star team and was simply a force in the middle of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. The Cardinals appear ready to bring Ludwick back into the fold, however the Atlanta Braves are believed to be making a push for his services.

Derek Lowe
Almost every team in baseball could use a veteran starting pitcher who could also become a closer if need be. With that in mind, there’s no wonder that Derek Lowe is getting a lot of attention already in free agency. The Los Angeles Dodgers are believed to want him back but both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets are believed to be quite interested.

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Chicago Cubs Lose First Playoff Game

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:46:56 +0000

The 100 year curse looks to be alive and breathing. The Chicago Cubs lost their first playoff game in 2008 by a final score of 7-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

At first, things looked fine for Chicago. They got up 2-0 by scoring two in the bottom of the second inning. But then James Looney of the Dodgers hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to put Los Angeles up for good.

Not surprisingly, Manny Ramirez shined for the Dodgers. He was 2-4 with a walk, two runs, an RBI and a homer run. Derek Lowe pitched a fine six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out six.

For the Cubs, things weren’t as rosy. Ryan Dempster struggled through 4.2 innings that saw him walk seven batters and give up four earned runs. Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto combined to go 0-12.

Chicago still has a chance to put the curse to bed but Game 2 has now turned out to be a must win game. Taking the hill for the Cubs will be ace Carlos Zambrano and he will take on Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers.

Game 2 will be Thursday at 9:30 PM CST.

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre have to like the Dodgers’ Game 1 success.

Photo: Newscom

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