Marlins Guarantee Lowell's Contract



You can take Mike Lowell off your list of likely players to move ; the AP is reporting that Florida have agreed to guarantee the remaining years on the third baseman's deal

Lowell, who could have opted out of his contract because the team hasn't secured new stadium financing, agreed Friday to a revised deal in which the team guarantees the remaining $25.5 million on his contract.



"I was hopeful that things would work out because I want to be a Florida Marlin," said Lowell, a three-time All-Star third baseman who hit .293 with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs last season. "It would have been hard for me to play under a one-year deal. ... It's only logical I'd want to play for the long term."

Lowell, who went to high school in South Florida, signed a $32 million, four-year contract before last season with a provision that if no new ballpark deal was in place by Monday, the final two seasons would be voided and Lowell would have a player option for 2005.

Florida has made strides toward securing that new ballpark, a 38,000-seat, retractable-roof facility that would be built adjacent to downtown Miami's Orange Bowl at an estimated cost of $420 million. And like the team, Lowell is confident that a deal is on the way.

"I do think a stadium is going to happen," said the 30-year-old Lowell, who has hit .277 and set franchise records with 135 home runs and 520 RBIs during his six seasons with the Marlins.

Posted: Fri - October 29, 2004 at 04:14 PM      

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