Royals Lowe to Braves

Mr. Laz · 01-13-2009, 11:36 AM

Lowe to sign with Atlanta

Story Highlights
Lowe was talking to the Braves about a $60-million, four-year contract

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Last season, Derek Lowe posted his lowest ERA (3.24) since 2002.
AP

Star free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is heading to the Braves, SI.com has learned.
Lowe will soon sign with Atlanta, according to officials with both the Mets and Phillies, the two other National League division rivals in contention for Lowe.
Lowe was talking to the Braves about a $60-million, four-year contract, SI.com reported early Tuesday morning.

The Braves' imminent agreement with Lowe is a hit to the rival Mets, who had been hoping to add Lowe to their rotation. The Mets, who have been told Lowe will be a Brave, will now turn their attention to free agent left-hander Oliver Perez.
Lowe was hoping to come back east after four successful yet unfulfilling years in Los Angeles. He pitched in Boston before his stint with the Dodgers. Lowe was believed to prefer the National League all along.
Lowe, who went 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA with the Dodgers last year and is 126-107 for his career, saves the Braves' offseason after they tried hard but failed to land star right-handers Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett and shortstop Rafael Furcal. The Braves did, however, previously land Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami for their rotation. With one of baseball's best prospects Tommy Hanson ready to join the rotation in the estimation of many baseball scouts, Atlanta could have one of the better rotations in the league.

The Mets, who had offered Lowe $36 million over three years, recently started talking dollars with Perez as they may have sensed their chances on Lowe were diminishing. The Mets are proposing a three-year deal for close to $30 million for Perez. Although, a four-year deal for Lowe, who at 35 is eight years Perez's senior, may convince them they need to give him another year. Mets general manager Omar Minaya has preferred Perez all along, but other members of their front office wanted Lowe.
The Mets aren't certain what other teams may be bidding on Perez. Should they fail to sign Perez, they are expected to turn to left-hander Randy Wolf. Pedro Martinez looks less likely now that the Mets have signed Tim Redding, who'll probably fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation.