Come On, Derek. Thank You, Derek

The Atlanta Braves have reportedly offered Scott Boras client Derek Lowe a 4-year $60 million contract. All sources say the Braves are the front runner for Lowe, considered the best pitcher available on the market. If the Braves pick him up, he will greatly improve their rotation that at this point includes Javier Vazquez (acquired earlier this winter from the Chicago White Sox), Jair Jurrjens (the first major league pitcher from Curacao and third-place finisher for the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year award), Kenshin Kawakami (a 2-time Sawamura award-winning Japanese all-star acquired this winter as a free agent), and a slew of other....

Whoa! As I'm writing this, it is being reported that Derek Lowe has accepted the offer. Awesome!!!! I feel way better about the Braves winter and rotation (after failing to acquire Jake Peavey or A.J. Burnett). All we need is a power-hitting outfielder (not Andruw) and I'll be ready for the spring.

Bye, Mike. We Hardly Knew Ya'...

Nov 18, 2002: Traded to the Braves from the Marlins
2003: Pitches 31 games (14-8)
2004: Pitches 29 games (13-9)
2005: Pitches 12 games (5-3)
Aug. 19, 2005: Elbow injury versus Padres
Sept. 25, 2005: Tommy John surgery
2006: Out for the season rehabbing
Mar 7, 2007: Tears oblique muscle, misses entire season due to recurring elbow pain
Apr 3, 2008: Strains his pectoral muscle while warming up for first game since 2005
July 26, 2008: Returns to the mound after almost three years, versus the Phillies
Aug 5, 2008: Gets his first win in 3 years, pitching 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs
Dec 1, 2008: Agrees to 1-year $2 million deal (plus $2 million in incentives) with the Astros


Thanks for the ups and downs, Mike. Two time All-Star, NLCS MVP, and the first pitcher to win both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season, Mike-freaking-Hampton.