It was a rare highlight moment for Mike Lowell.
Kevin Youkilis was out with back spasms, and with Victor Martinez behind the plate, the door was cracked open for Lowell to make a start. It was just his fourth start since May 17, and by this point, the 36-year-old understands that he has been marginalized.
First baseman Youkilis is one of the best hitters in baseball. Adrian Beltre has been a force (and highlight-reel defender) at third. David Ortiz has reclaimed his hold on full-time responsibilities as the designated hitter.
With Victor Martinez enjoying a huge offensive surge (hitting .482 in June, and .467 in his last 18 games), the Sox are trying to keep him in the lineup. And so, last weekend, Lowell sat on the bench as Youkilis moved to third and Martinez played at first on a night when Beltre sat out.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Sox have less use for the 2007 World Series MVP than they do any other position player currently on their roster. As much as Lowell has tried to reconcile himself to that reality, he has not enjoyed it.
“It’s been very tough,” a smirking Lowell informed a reporter who asked about his “situation” on Friday night. “Thank you.”
Yet Lowell made the most of his situation on Friday. He helped to turn a strong first inning into a blowout. With the Sox ahead, 3-0, Lowell stepped to the plate, greeted by the usual appreciative outbreak of applause that seems to greet every one of his home plate appearances. He rewarded his Fenway supporters by crunching a two-run homer to left as part of a day in which he went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks in the Sox' 12-2 pasting of the Phillies. (Recap.)
He was far from effusive about the performance, however, saying simply, “It was very nice.”
Yet it may have also been important. Right now, the Sox, according to major league sources, are talking to other clubs to see if they can find a new home for the 36-year-old. A tweet from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports suggested that the Sox are exploring deals with the Twins (who have the majors’ worst OPS at third base, a .563 mark) and Rangers (whose first baseman have a combined .643 OPS, 27th in the majors), and described the Angels (who lost first baseman Kendry Morales for the season due to his freak accident after a walkoff grand slam) as “hovering. ”
At some point, it would appear a parting of ways is almost inevitable for the benefit of all parties. With Lowell’s role increasingly ill-defined, the Sox could better use his roster spot for a player with greater versatility, particularly one capable of providing depth either in the middle infield or the outfield. And Lowell, of course, just wants to play for anyone at this point.
Based on his solid performance in 2009, when he was less healthy than he is now, Lowell is convinced that he can still contribute to a big league team. His teammates agree.
“Everyone knows Mikey. He’s a great baseball player, great hitter, great defensive player,” said shortstop Marco Scutaro. “Sometimes you can’t control stuff and you’ve got to wait, I guess.”
But obviously, that requirement is one that does not come naturally to the former World Series MVP, All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Lowell was a key component of the club from 2006-09 before being left to squirm in his reduced role this season. It has been a situation that has bordered on awkward for Lowell’s teammates to observe. He is a respected and beloved member of the team.
“He’s the best,” said second baseman Dustin Pedroia. “Words can’t really describe what he does. He’s been a huge part of our team for a long time.”
Now, his opportunities to contribute are few. On Friday, he took advantage of a rare one.
“He took a good swing. That was good. He’s been working hard,” said Sox manager Terry Francona. “I know how he feels about playing. But he’s been taking extra [batting practice] when we’ve had it early and he was obviously ready to hit and good for him and good for us.”
But will there be another chance for him to do so as a member of the Sox? With Jeremy Hermida landing on the disabled list, the need for the team to make roster tweaks and to increase flexibility may have grown.
That being the case, there may be few remaining moments for Lowell in a Sox uniform like the one he had on Friday. A relationship between a player and team that has benefited both may now be nearing its conclusion.
If that moment should arrive sooner rather than later, then at least Lowell will have gone out with a bang.