Saved by his stellar post-season, Derek Lowe has found a new home with the Dodgers. Los Angeles (NL) has also managed to retain pitcher Odalis Perez (thus reducing the odds the Mets will be trading Steve Trachsel). From the Associated Press ‘ John Nadel.
The Dodgers closed in on a contract Friday with Derek Lowe worth about $36 million over four years, and finalized their deal to keep left-hander Odalis Perez.
“I can’t comment yet — saying yes or saying no,” Lowe said from his home in Fort Myers, Fla., when asked about a possible future with the Dodgers.
Los Angeles was holding off finalizing a contract with Lowe, wanting to first complete a deal that would send Shawn Green to Arizona, a lawyer involved in those talks said on condition of anonymity.
Green, who is due to earn $16 million this season, did not reach an agreement with the Diamondbacks on a contract extension before Thursday’s deadline, but Arizona is now negotiating with him through the Dodgers, several baseball officials said.
About the possibility of pitching for the Dodgers, Lowe said: “They won their division last year. Any time you can go to a team that has won, or has a chance to win, it definitely would be a good situation.”
Lowe said he was disappointed the Red Sox never made him an offer to return, but added: “I knew it was heading down that path late in the season. You realize that it’s a business. It was definitely an enjoyable place to play. I have nothing but good things and positive things to say about playing there. They gave me my first chance in the big leagues.”
Perez, who agreed to his $24 million, three-year deal earlier in the week, passed a physical Friday. The Dodgers have a club option for 2008 with the 27-year-old left-hander.
He was 7-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 starts last season, helping Los Angeles reach the playoffs for the first time since 1996. He led the majors with 18 no-decisions and had the worst run support among NL starters at 3.30 runs per nine innings.
Keeping Perez gives the Dodgers a reliable starter in a rotation filled with uncertainty. He joins right-handers Jeff Weaver, Brad Penny and Edwin Jackson and possibly Lowe, along with left-hander Kaz Ishii as potential starters.
Among free agent pitchers who have signed multiyear deals this offseason, only Pedro Martinez (2.71) and Orlando Hernandez (3.96) have a lower career ERA than Perez.