Red Sox sending Lowell to Rangers?

Mike Lowell: former
Red Sox and future
Ranger? MLB

Perhaps ironically given last year’s long speculation that the Boston Red Sox would trade for one of the Texas Rangers’ young catchers, foxsports.com reported late last night – and other sources have since confirmed – that the two teams are working out the details for swapping Sox third baseman Mike Lowell for Ranger backstop Max Ramirez.

According to the site, the deal hinges on Red Sox ownership agreeing to pay $9 million of the $12 million Lowell is due to make in 2010, the commissioner’s office approving the transaction because it involves more than $1 million in cash, and the players passing their physicals. The latter isn’t a given in Lowell’s case because of his post-surgical hip and late-season thumb injury, but there probably won’t be a deal-breaker because the Rangers already have All Star Michael Young installed at third and likely will move Lowell to first in any event.

For the Red Sox, Ramirez stands to be the backup catcher they’ve lacked since the reign of Doug Mirabelli I. Just 25 years old, he’ll spend spring learning from the master, Jason Varitek, and shadowing the starter, Victor Martinez. It says here he’ll start the year in Pawtucket, and with any luck, the batter’s eye and power he’s displaying in the Venezuelan Winter League right now (OBP .356, slugging .473, OPS .828) will carry over so he can step right in at Fenway when the in-season injuries inevitably occur.

Finally, there’s this: would the Red Sox be looking to deal Lowell if they didn’t have another move lining up right behind? It has been speculated that they’re simply remaining true to their original desire to sign him for two years when he became a free agent following the 2007 World Series (of which he was MVP) – agreeing to three only after talking him down from four. But it seems unlikely they’d move him for that reason only, especially since it appears they’ll still have to pay him. Instead, one wonders if the next announcement will be for a headliner at either third (Adrian Beltre?) or first.

Or, perhaps, securing a young backstop is all the Sox have in mind given that they’re in “bridging” (not rebuilding) mode.

What thinkest thou?