Red Sox weigh options for Lowell — 11:02 p.m.

The Red Sox not only are shopping third baseman Mike Lowell but also are willing to pay $6 million of his $12 million salary for next season, according to major-league sources.

One rival executive, however, says he would be surprised if a team was willing to pay Lowell even $6 million.

Lowell, 35, has appeared in only 113 and 119 games, respectively, the past two seasons. His right-hip issues have limited his range and he ranks as one of the worst defensive third basemen in the majors, advanced metrics say.

While Lowell remains productive offensively, he benefited greatly from playing at Fenway Park last season, posting a .932 OPS at home and .713 OPS on the road.

The Red Sox will need to trade Lowell if they acquire Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in a trade and move Kevin Youkilis from first to third.

The Sox also could look to replace Lowell even if they fail to land Gonzalez, perhaps by signing a free agent such as Adrian Beltre.

Beltre, 30, is coming off an injury-marred season but rates as one of the game’s top defensive third basemen. His career OPS, when adjusted for league and park, is only slightly lower than Lowell’s.

Season in seven words: “Borderline triumphant, given the talent on hand.” …

Hero: Adrian Gonzalez. Just think of the numbers he would put up if he played his home games in a wisp of a ballpark like the new Yankee Stadium …

Loserhead: New owner guy Jeff Moorad, or whatever jackass was responsible for firing GM Kevin Towers. Listen, when I get around to buying a team, I plan on hiring “my own guys,” too: there will be key administrative roles for Eddie Van Halen and Snuffleupagus, among others. That said, I don’t get why the Padres discarded Towers like a soiled napkin. He did all the heavy lifting that will allow the team to turn things around fast — shedding most of the big contracts, handling the Trevor Hoffman divorce — and this is the thanks he gets? Baseball is a mean sport sometimes …

Key needs: Everything except a first baseman, basically …

Prognosis: Once they deal Heath Bell, the rebuilding begins in earnest.

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