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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Seriously…how many times are you going to trot him out to the mound and have an offensive letdown, in turn keeping him at 349 career wins?  I’m starting to feel bad for the guy, and he seems like he’s let it get to him in a way, which is surprising considering his reputation for being even-keeled.  That’d probably wear on me, too.  It’s been what, 5 or 6 starts that he’s had a chance to get it?  I’d want it over with as soon as possible just so I could move on and re-focus, which I’m sure he wants to do.  Not only should he get to this landmark achievement, but he deserves it.  He’s an obvious pick for a first ballot Hall of Famer, and even if he ends up with 349 wins, his career has been better than 99% of pitchers ever to play.  4 consecutive Cy Youngs is a feat that very few have done, and I doubt many people ever do it again, and not only did he win 4 in a row, but he was absolutely nasty in those years.  His 1994 and 1995 seasons were two of the best pitched seasons in history.  In ‘94, he won only 16 games but allowed only 150 hits in 202 innings and had a sensational 1.56 ERA.  In ‘95 he had a ridiculous record, 19-2, allowed 147 hits in 209 innings, walked just 23 batters, and had a 1.63 ERA.  To get these numbers in this day and age is ridiculous, and anyone who does it is easily a Hall of Fame performer.  He’s carried his success into his 40’s and still has a 3.12 career ERA.

I’m sure it’s frustrating for everyone involved, so the Pads should use this as motivation.  Hey offense, give the guy some runs and get him #350, he deserves it.