Derek Lowe: Was the CW not so W?

This sounds like a lot of BS to me. All Lowe had to say for the past year was that he wanted to stay here. But never once did he publicly counter all those stories of him wanting out. Sorry, I don't buy it.
David

After the way Lowe pitched in the playoffs, why wouldn't the Dodgers rush to sign him to a multi-year deal? He was consistently excellent, and didn't complain about an offense that often refused to score for him. guys like that are worth their weight in gold.

Is it too late to sign him to a four-year $60 million deal? The guy has NEVER been on the DL.

Furcal, on the other hand, seems to have misjudged the market. Or maybe he just didn't like Oakland (who would?) Bad team, bad stadium, heinous uniforms, and they play on the wrong side of the bay. Still, I doubt anyone's going to give him more than four years or $40 mil. Does he really think he's worth $14 million a year? I sure don't

It’s funny, but if Lowe were flashier, I think he’d draw more attention from the Dodgers…and maybe a contract proposal. His numbers, especially in the post-season, speak for themselves, however, he’s just such a lunch pail, every fifth day kinda guy that maybe it seems like he’s not pulling his weight. But c’mon, anyone with double-digit W’s year after year has to be in your plans; with pitching at such a premium in baseball, and in the NL and at Dodger Stadium specifically, one has to wonder what it takes to get management’s attention. Is Boras THAT hard to deal with? Is the 2009 rotation THAT strong? I have to words for you Ned…un-uh.

I'm also a little skeptical that the process played out exactly as Lowe explained it. Or at the very least, WHEN it played out.

If Team Lowe was trying to get an extension earlier in the season (like Brad Penny) and the Dodgers weren't receptive, that would explain the growing season-wide lack of enthusiasm Lowe appeared to have towards a return. It wouldn't, however, explain why the Dodgers made a big-time mistake. Both Lowe's 2007 and his Dodger career make a simple conversation beyond mandatory.

But if the lack of phone calls happened after the season ended, that wouldn't explain why Lowe never gave any public indication- even the obligatory kind we hear from athletes with one foot clearly out the door- of his interest in remaining a Dodger. He acknowledges being aware of the "storyline" about wanting to go east. Why not clarify it at the time? His explanation feels a little convenient.

Mind you, not calling Lowe back after the season ended would still be a mistake by the Dodgers. No matter when any conversations didn't take place, the bottom line is that the Dodgers could use Lowe and should have pursued him. But that's a scenario fairly different than Lowe is leading folks to believe.

At any event, a lot of specific details appear to be missing.

AK

AK
The statements that Lowe made do not seem to be something that was made up. Saying "It isn't hard to turn down nothing" seems awfully genuine to me. That statement is begging the Dodgers for a response. Either the Dodgers assumed that he didn't want to come back or they didn't want to pay the man his money. Why didn't the Dodgers make a statement about his coming or not coming back next year?? Because it seemed easier to let him go quietly? This reeks of McCourt excusitis. They just love to think they can fool the public. I don't think Lowe was ever on the Dodgers radar to resign.

Package

I remember hearing a radio interview either with Pietros and Money or Mason and Ireland with Ned, when the topic came up about Lowe, Ned said he spoke with Lowe and Lowe said he wanted to go in a different direction. Ned wouldn't say something like this unless it was true, so you never know which side is BS'ing?? Lowe's final years with the Blue really seemed to indicate that he really wanted to get out of L.A. I'm sure this is all PR stuff on Lowe's behalf! I'm pretty sure if Lowe was open to returning, Ned would of made an extension offer. Lowe would've of been alot cheaper than C.C.

Package,

I'm not sure how it would be "excuse-itis" on the McCourt's part, because they didn't actually say anything. Lowe is the one offering excuses. And again, I literally watched the guy duck opportunities to at least confirm interest in returning all season and he NEVER did. At least not while I watched. For that matter, I never even heard about his side looking for an extension until just now. Contrast that to a situation like Penny's, whose wish and rejection for the same was pretty common knowledge.

Again, none of what I'm saying should be confused with me agreeing with the front office not to pursue Lowe. Were that the case, I would consider that nothing short of a big mistake. I just find it a little suspicious that Lowe would talk now of wanting to return after turning down plenty of opportunities to clarify a perception he acknowledged being aware of. And if Lowe is telling the truth, it's an awfully strange way to have handled the situation, in my opinion.

But you're right that his comments beg for a Dodger response. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. To be continued...

AK

AK
My comment about excuse-itis, simply meant that the McCourts have a habit of excusing away anything that might upset the fans as they did with the Manny situation. They did not mention anything about Lowe during the season and I felt that anyone who owned the Dodgers would have already been making preparation for the next year, which I am sure the McCourts had but their plans did not include Lowe. I felt that he would have made a huge contribution to the team and should have been included. Also, so far the Dodgers have not disputed Lowe's claim.
AK, if I pitched for the Dodgers and did a fairly respectable job and my team did not try and negotiate a new contract, I sure would not want to start a media, he said, she said controversy while trying to win a championship.

Package

BK getting the big shout out! Mad props.

Why would Derek Lowe WANT to stay with a team that can't produce runs for him, nor seems interested in fixing that problem?

SaMo,

Good point on having that same team and only going to the second round last year. A full year of Manny in the clubhouse and in the batting cage will help the kids. Our core is very close to the Garvey/Cey years with 4 or 5 20+ HR hitters. Add in the fact that Furcal and the infield didn't have much time together and he was just coming off the DL.

Another year will help our pitching a lot especially if we convince Maddux to do some coaching. McDonald impressed everyone and should fill Penny's slot with a little help in AZ from a guy named Sandy. I did leave some wiggle room by substituting CC for Lowe and Tex for Manny because sometimes dreams do come true. But McCourt won't buy them all.
Really, after those two (CC & Tex) and Furcal and Manny, is there any FA that is that much better than what we already have? Plus, if we sign Lowe and Manny, we don't have to give up a draft choice.

Trade? Maybe Peavy for Kemp and 2 prospects, but I hate to watch him bloom for another team when he is so close.

Day 1 of the meetings is upon us... lets hope uncle Flanders can grab us some talent. What are the odds on Raffy, Blake or ManRam coming back? I think 20% on Raffy, 75% on Blake and 10% on Manny. Any predictions on CC?

AK, Package,
I agree that something doesn't seem right w/ Lowe's story but if true, the Dodgers have "DONE IT AGAIN". I think we need to give Lowe the benefit of the doubt b/c he doesn't have the negative history the Dodgers have when it comes to these stories... ask, why did all the "DRAMA" occur w/ the Dodgers when McCourt, Colletti, Conte came to L.A. We had the whole J.D. Drew fiasco, he said, she said.. and then now w/ Manny's, Furcal, and Lowe situations.

SaMo,
I gotta disagree about the 2008 team. Yes, they did not beat the Phillies this year but that's not to say, they won't in 2009. Maybe I'm an optimist but the series could of, should of been won by the Dodgers THIS YEAR. One lucky hit, or one lucky NON-HR by Utley in game 1 could have changed the whole complexion of the series. A few bad Torre moves w/ pitching which assisted in some key hits could of turned the whole series around... I think in numerous ways, the Dodgers could of won but made a mistake or were unlucky in every possible baseball instant, yet made it a completive series.... again, maybe after a year of Playoff experience and having guys playing together for one year under a new manager will allow the team to gel into a WS winner.