Mike Lowell

Lowell slumped badly in the second half of the season as oblique and hip injuries seriously affected his swing. He came back to contribute in September, but he was eventually removed from the playoff roster because of the hip. He's got another two years on his deal, but as we saw in 2008, Kevin Youkilis can easily serve as Boston's every day third baseman. The loss of Manny Ramirez's bat was noticeable, so expect the Red Sox to add another bat in the offseason. If that bat is a first baseman, we'd likely see Youkilis move to third permanently. Lowell's health and Boston's offseason moves will be the issues to factor in when deciding on adding Lowell to a fantasy team in 2009.

Lowell was arguably the Red Sox's most valuable player in 2007, and his regular season and playoff exploits earned him a healthy raise heading into 2008. His 2007 numbers were some of the best of his career: .324 average, 21 home runs, 37 doubles and a team-leading 120 RBI. While we don't expect the soon-to-be 34-year-old to post numbers that spectacular in 2008, he still should be one of the top third base options in all of fantasy baseball. Lowell possesses the ability to hit for power and average, he gets on base (.378 OBP in 2007) and, with the big boppers ahead of him, we expect Lowell to drive in plenty of runs. A .300/20/100 year isn't out of the question.

If there was any feel-good story for the 2006 Red Sox, it had to have been the resurgence of Mike Lowell's career. After an utterly disastrous 2005, Lowell rebounded to hit 20 home runs and knock in 80 runs, his best power output since his MVP-caliber 2003 season. Last season also represented Lowell's third straight with 150+ games played, a testament to his ability to stay healthy. Note however that his OBP dropped off sharply after the All-Star break, from .359 to .315. His OPS dropped off even more, from .875 to .739. This late-season dive seems to be a consistent trend throughout Lowell's career, so be aware of that before drafting him.

After five seasons as a solid run producer for the Marlins in which he averaged almost 25 home runs and 95 RBI while never hitting below .270, Lowell fell off a cliff in 2005. He was a late bloomer, so it's possible that he's simply done, but it's equally possible that he'll be able to rebound somewhat. Whichever side that very expensive coin lands on, it'll be the Red Sox and not the Marlins flipping it.

Lowell's numbers were nearly identical to his 2002, with some K's traded in for singles. He'll be 31 next season, and should be good for at least a couple more solid, not-quite-Ron Cey-level seasons.

Lowell had a career year despite missing the final month of the season due to a broken thumb. The doubles finally turned into homers, which gives some hope that his power surge might not be a fluke, but it's his unusual contract (tied to the Marlins' new stadium deal) that will be most closely watched this year.

Age-wise the last three years were supposed to be his peak, and they weren't bad at all, but Lowell always seems likes a guy who might just have a little more left in the tank. Maybe it's the late start he got, or the Lance Armstrong factor. Whatever it is, he's only got maybe two seasons left to bust out before Miguel Cabrera takes his job.