According to the Boston Herald

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1043481

This is the best thing to happen to the Sox post World Series

In case you cant get there, heres the article: Courtesy of the Boston Herald. Since again, Theo keeps negotiations private without a players permission to speak to the media, I have to believe and assume that Lowell signed off on it verbally.

ORLANDO -- While they are not sending out any take-it-or-leave-it signals to his camp, the Red Sox [team stats] made a three-year guaranteed offer to third baseman Mike Lowell, that one club source described as "really strong."

As the general managers meetings concluded, there was a belief coming from the ballclub that their offer is competitive enough that if Lowell truly wants to re-sign with the Sox -- which the club believes and which the club wants to happen -- then their three-year offer is significant enough to make him want to stay.

The club remains hopeful that Lowell will agree to the offer but in case he does not, they are preparing to move in other directions, although it appears unlikely they will turn toward the Marlins to make a deal for Miguel Cabrera.

In case Lowell is not part of their future, the Red Sox will look into other non-blockbuster trades to fill the hole at third base, or first base, if Kevin Youkilis [stats] moves to third.

The Red Sox are also mulling the idea of solving a potential third-base hole internally. One idea under consideration would involve having new first baseman Chris Carter enter the major-league mix, as well as shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie.