Another take on Lowell + options

Note: Tim outlined the possibilities and options much better than me here Last year, the Red Sox lost Mike Lowell's services down the stretch and into the postseason due to a painful hip injury that zapped the third baseman's power and discarded his defensive mobility. With Lowell on the pine, the Red Sox were forced to play Kevin Youkilis at third base and Mark Kotsay every day at first base, where the longtime outfielder hit .226/.286/.345 in 84 second-half AB's for Boston and compiled just a .233 average in 30 AB in the ALCS against Tampa Bay. Why do I bring this up? Because rather than travel to Baltimore with the rest of the team, Lowell flew back to Boston to deal with his latest hip pain and discomfort. Lowell had fluid drained from his ailing hip and received an injection of Synvisc, described as a gelatinous lubricant to help deal with the tightness. While all reports from the injection are optimistic and the Red Sox say he'll return in 2 weeks, there&...