Red Sox, Rangers Talking Trade
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers are talking trade, according to reports.
In need of bullpen help, the Red Sox are looking at relievers Koji Uehara and Mark Lowe. In return, the Rangers are interested in Jed Lowrie.
Uehara and Lowe are both right-handed relievers. Uehara was 1-2 in 22 games in 2011 with a 4.00 ERA. He struck out 23 batters in 18 innings pitched. He is 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA over a three-year career.
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Lowe was 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 2011, striking out 42 in 45 innings pitched. In his six-year career, Lowe is 7-18 with an ERA of 4.03.
The Red Sox picked up short stop Marco Scutaro's option for the 2012 season and still have Mike Aviles, so they do have some leeway in moving Lowrie, who has struggled to stay healthy. His 88 games played are the highest in a single season since his rookie year, also setting career highs in plate appearances (341) and at-bats (309).
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After a hot start in April, Lowrie cooled off, finishing the season with a .252 average with six home runs and 36 RBI. He drove in 12 runs in April, hitting half of his home runs during the season's first month.
Uehara and Lowe are both eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, while Lowrie is under team control through 2014.
According to the report, there are multiple teams interested in Uehara.
