Rangers Renew Interest In Mike Lowell

With Mike Lowell proving his health -- or, at least, getting some at-bats in spring training -- the Texas Rangers seem to be back in the race to potentially acquire the Red Sox backup third baseman:

A baseball source said Wednesday that talks between the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers over infielder Mike Lowell have accelerated and a trade remained a possibility.

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The Rangers have been scouting Lowell regularly since he started playing this spring, and have a clear need for a backup first baseman and right-handed designated hitter.

They may be engaged in a high-stakes poker game with the Red Sox to see how much of Lowell’s salary Boston will eat to make the deal.

Despite Lowell being on the field and the Rangers looking for a corner infield bat, WEEI reports a deal isn’t close:

According to multiple sources, the Red Sox and Rangers aren’t close to a deal that would send Lowell to Texas to serve as a back-up for third baseman Michael Young, first baseman Chris Davis, and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero. The main issue continues to be Texas’ reluctance to allocate the kind of money the Red Sox would be looking for the Rangers to absorb out of the $12 million the infielder is scheduled to be paid this season.

If the Rangers want some first base and designated hitter help, they don’t have to look far on the free agent market. The Cubs recently cut Kevin Millar, while the Mariners waived Ryan Garko. Both would be cheap additions to the club that wouldn’t involve losing a player like Max Ramirez, who was rumored in the first trade between the Rangers and Red Sox.

Lowell is hitting .294 this spring in 17 at-bats. He has split time at both third base, his natural position, and first base, a position he just started playing this spring.