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We forgive you.

BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS:
ORLANDO, Fla. - Mike Lowell's return to the Red Sox appears inevitable, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is resigned to the fact that Alex Rodriguez's replacement will have to come via the trade market.

Lowell, the 2007 World Series Most Valuable Player, could re-sign with the Red Sox before Tuesday, when free agents can begin negotiating with other clubs.

"We're hopeful," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday at the general managers' meetings. "We've had discussions since the end of Game 4. Hopefully those discussions have moved the ball forward a little bit. We'll just have to see how it turns out."

The two sides had differed in number of years on the contract, but it's believed they've found common ground there. Lowell likely will sign a deal that guarantees him three years. "I personally believe the player's preference would be to stay in Boston," Cashman said. "I believe that's probably accurate."

Cashman has been in regular contact with Lowell's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, because the brothers also represent Yankees free agent Jorge Posada.

With Lowell all but off the Yankees' board, and with Florida's price for Miguel Cabrera too high, the Yankees will have to get creative to fill A-Rod's position. They also like Seattle's Adrian Beltre, yet there's little indication the Mariners would have interest in trading him. They're not high on Joe Crede of the White Sox, and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said yesterday that he wasn't inclined to deal Hank Blalock.

Baltimore would trade shortstop Miguel Tejada, who could switch to third base. Yet Tejada, at a new position, wouldn't match the Yankees' "pitching and defense" mantra.

St. Louis' Scott Rolen, an accomplished glove man, would better fit that philosophy, activated in the wake of Rodriguez's departure. But Rolen is neither as durable nor as offensively productive as Tejada, and he has three years left on his contract compared with Tejada's two.

The Orioles would command a price in talent for Tejada, however, whereas Rolen would essentially be a money dump for the Cards, whose manager Tony La Russa doesn't get along with Rolen. St. Louis owes Rolen $12 million for each of the next three seasons.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spthird085451532nov08,0,3432116.story?coll=ny-homepage-big-pix

Me too!! I want Mikey Lowell back so badly.