According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Rangers and Red Sox have agreed upon the terms of a deal that would send Mike Lowell to the Rangers in exchange for catcher/first baseman Max Ramirez, with multiple outlets reporting that the Sox will pay $9 million of Lowell’s $12 million 2010 salary. It still figures to be 2-3 days before the trade is finalized, with both teams having to look at each player’s medical situation.

For Lowell, the Rangers will be focusing in on the progress of his surgically-repaired right hip, while the Red Sox figure to prioritize the health of both of Ramirez’ wrists, which he injured at different times in 2009.

Boston.com was first to report that the teams had agreed to terms, Thursday night. WEEI.com published the initial report that the Red Sox and Rangers were negotiation the trade, Wednesday.

6 Comments for “Still ‘2-3 days’ before Lowell deal final”

1. Frank Barrett Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

   Stupid, stupid move. Beltre is a juicer. Add the $9 million to Beltre’s take – and that’s a better deal than keep Lowell for another year, letting him walk and potentially get a draft pick or two?

   Dump Oriz before Lowell. Move Lowell to first to platoon with Victor Martinez and/or Kotchman; Youkilis plays third.

   The Sox must LOVE paying other teams to take their players off their hands…Manny, Lugo, Renteria come to mind. Bad move.

2. M.C. Antil Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

   If the Sox land Beltre — and at this point, that’s a bit “if” — they will have gotten the finest fielding third baseman in baseball; bar none. He’s a freak when it comes to charging slow rollers and his defensive intensity is downright contagious. Not only that, but Ramirez is one of the best hitting catching prospects in baseball. His attitude supposedly needs a tweak now and then, and he had a non-productive, injury-plagued year on ‘08. But his bat is ML-ready now and he has the tools and the bat-speed to find himself listed as one of the Sox ten best prospects by the end of the upcoming season.

3. John Says:
   December 10th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

   Could Max Rameriez end up just being bait for an Adrian Gonzalos or Roy Halladay deal, just wondering

4. Josh Says:
   December 11th, 2009 at 7:38 am

   I think the Red Sox just want to get Lowell off their hands right now because a guy that can only play 80-100 games out of the year us not someone you need on the team when they are the best player you have at 3B. And yes we could move youk to third but he really is best at 1st. And yes we could have V Mart switch to first every now and then but that means Varitek is probably hitting alot more often than what we want him to be hitting. Ramirez is a phenomenal catcher and could be come the Sox’s catcher in the future ,although, I do like the idea of him being trade bait for a bigger and better player. And if we do sign Beltre not only is that an upgrade to fielding but it will also be an upgrade in the lineup. Beltre is a right handed pull hitter and has been his entire career. Putting him in Fenway is just asking for him to hit .300 off the Green Monster.

5. hawkny Says:
   December 11th, 2009 at 8:19 am

   The wheels are turning, at last! Now, Theo, what about Mike Gonzalez?

6. belsipe Says:
   December 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

   Beltre will never wear a Sox uni. He’s a red herring that Theo has put out there along with talking up Casey Kelley. Moving Lowell opens up the possibility of acquiring either a first baseman or a third baseman. The Sox want Adrien Gonzales from the Padres and they’re going to get him for Kelly, Anderson and Max Rameriez. Then Theo’ll sign Lacky and Bay/Holiday.

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