It sounds like a silly question, but when you break it down, I truly believe that Theo Epstein, for whatever reason, does not like Mike Lowell. Before calling me crazy and ignoring everything I am about to say, read this with an open mind and think about the way Theo runs business. I am about to present to you four major events over the last five season that make it hard to argue otherwise.

November, 2005 – After a quick exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Chicago White Sox, the Red Sox entered the off season filled with turmoil and controversy. This was the winter where Theo Epstein unexpectedly left the organization and all front office activities were assumed by Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington. During his absence they executed the famous Josh Beckett/Hanley Ramirez trade. In order to get the deal done, the Red Sox were forced to take on Mike Lowell and his $30 million contract. Lowell had come off a terrible stretch and many thought he was cooked. The Sox got lucky and Lowell proved to be valuable, but nevertheless, there are multiple credible sources that insist that Theo Epstein never makes that trade. Had he been in charge the Sox would have kept Hanley and Lowell never would have made his way to Boston. This was certainly more Theo loving Ramirez than him not being interested in Lowell, but regardless, Theo was not interested.

December, 2007 – Despite coming off of arguably the most productive season in his career, the Red Sox were in no rush to resign Lowell who had just played out the final year of his contract. Epstein was holding strong on a two year offer to Lowell worried about his long term health, a concern that Lowell is now proving to be legitimate. When it got to the point that the two sides were so far apart on a deal that it looked like Lowell was ready to go no elsewhere, the Red Sox ownership stepped in and upped the offer despite Epstein’s best advice. John Henry and Larry Lucchino recognized the public outcry and decided to appease their fans instead of their GM. Lowell ultimately signed a three year $37.5 million deal and spent much of 2008 hurt and has to have another surgery this winter, looks like Theo knew what he was talking about.

December, 2008 – After having surgery on his right hip following the 2008 season it was unknown whether or not Mike Lowell would be able to make a healthy return to baseball. With prized first basemen Mark Teixeira on the free agent market, the Red Sox were thought to be his top landing spot before the Yankees swooped in at the last minute. Had Teixeira signed, Youklis would have moved over to third base to make room for Teixeira thus making Lowell the odd man out.

December, 2009 – No longer able to play the field effectively and with the Red Sox making an effort to improve their pitching and defense, Mike Lowell became too much of a liability than his bat was able to make up for. With the winter meetings wrapping up news broke that the Red Sox and Rangers had a tentative deal in place to send Lowell to Texas, along with $9 million in exchange for 25 year old catcher, Max Ramirez. The deal was pending as both teams reviewed medical records. This past weekend the Rangers determined that Lowell needed surgery on his right thumb and decided to pull out of the deal, leaving Mike Lowell, once again, a member of the Boston Red Sox.

I still do not think that Lowell will start the season with the Red Sox, but it is looking like he will be around at least until spring training. Maybe it is simply a coincidence, but it sure does look like Theo Epstein just does not value Lowell as much as most people in the business and you can bet he is working feverishly to move him as we speak.

- Chris