White Sox, Mariners, and Rangers reportedly interested in Mike Lowell

Now that David Ortiz is hitting again the Red Sox have found almost zero playing time for Mike Lowell, giving him a grand total of three starts and 17 plate appearances in the past three weeks. Lowell has made it clear that he’d welcome a trade, noting last month that third baseman Adrian Beltre and Kevin Youkilis rarely need time off and “I refuse to wish injuries to good players.” Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com reports that “it does appear the Red Sox are listening to Lowell’s request to try to move him.” According to McDonald, the White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners have expressed interest in Lowell, but a source “ruled out any possibility of” the Angels getting involved in the wake of Kendry Morales’ broken ankle. Chicago would use Lowell at third base in place of Mark Teahen, who was put on the disabled list yesterday with a broken finger. Seattle would presumably use him at first base, perhaps in a quasi-platoon with Casey Kotchman. Texas could also use him at first base, although that would likely mean sending top prospect Justin Smoak back to the minors after just a few dozen games.