Reports that Lowell will remain in Boston create excitement in Red Sox Nation

Jonathan Papelbon did not strike out three consecutive hitters with the bases loaded in the ninth to record an exhilarating save. Nor did David Ortiz launch another walk-off home run. Yet Red Sox Nation was buzzing with excitement usually reserved for the regular season after learning on Monday that the Red Sox and Mike Lowell have reportedly reached a three-year, $37.5 million deal.

It is uncertain whether Lowell received a four-year offer from the Philadelphia Phillies and/or the Los Angeles Dodgers - the two teams who expressed the most interest in signing the World Series MVP. In the end, apparently the allure of playing for an annual World Series contender in a ballpark ideally suited for his hitting style was too much to resist.

Lowell's numbers alone justified his return to the Red Sox. He had a career-high .324 batting average with 21 home runs and 120 RBI, also a career-best mark. Impressive statistics are only a fraction of why the Lowell is arguably the team's most important player, along with Jason Varitek. He is one of the game's best defensive third basemen. On the field and in the clubhouse, the Puerto Rico native is a respected leader who speaks fluent English and Spanish, and serves as a positive mentor.

In this era of me-first primadonnas like Alex Rodriguez, Lowell is a true professional whose value cannot be measured by how many home runs he hits and the number of RBI he collects. There are few players in recent history that have been more embraced by fans, teammates and management than Lowell. Ortiz and Manny Ramirez publicly lobbied for Theo Epstein to resign him. Curt Schilling did, too.

On his blog, 38 Pitches, Schilling wrote, “Mikey Lowell is back. How cool is that? Leaving years and dollars on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff. Pretty nice to think you are fans in a town that is now a desired destination for athletes across the major sports. Come a long way for sure. Congrats to Mike, and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ecstatic.”

Red Sox Nation shares Schilling's enthusiasm. Now that Lowell will man third base in 2008, the Sox will return the World Series winning starting lineup. The only difference between next year's starting lineup and the one that Terry Francona filled out on Opening Day 2007 is that Jacoby Ellsbury, and not Coco Crisp, will play center field.

Epstein and company can now focus on adding complimentary parts to the 2008 roster. As indicated in my last post, the Sox could use Coco Crisp as a fourth outfielder, or they might ship him to Minnesota for a reliever or Texas for catcher Gerald Laird. It would be surprising if Epstein packages Crisp with a couple top prospects for Johan Santana.

Boston also needs a backup catcher, a left-handed specialist (if they choose not to keep Javier Lopez or give Craig Breslow a chance), a right-handed set-up man, a replacement for Eric Hinske (which could be Brandon Moss), and a right-handed hitting extra outfielder (if Crisp does not fill the role).

The winter meetings are less than two weeks away. Fortunately, the Sox will not be talking to the Cardinals about Scott Rolen or the White Sox about Joe Crede. Lowell is back, and all is right in Red Sox Nation as the Hot Stove League continues. I'm breathing a sigh of relief. Lowell belongs in a Boston uniform, and the Red Sox are a better team because of his presence.