Reliever Mark Lowe has reached agreement on minor league deal with #Dodgers. Includes invite to big league camp.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 8, 2013

Mark Lowe-Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Lowe is a 29 year old right hander from Houston Texas, originally drafted by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2004 amateur draft. Lowe made his MLB debut at age 23 while with the Mariners in 2006. Lowe has primarily been a set-up man, and middle reliever while pitching for the Mariners, and Rangers. Lowe pitched for Seattle from 2006-2010, before being traded along with Cliff Lee to the Rangers, for prospects  Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, Matt Lawson, and Justin Smoak.

Right elbow problems, limited Lowe to only 15 games in 2006, and four games in 2007. Lowe pitched in 57 games for Seattle in 2008 while posting a 5.37 ERA, and then followed that season by posting a 3.26 ERA in 75 games for the Mariners in 2009. In 2010 Lowe was traded to the Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal. After Lowe’s trade to Texas, he was knocked out because of back problems, but did make a comeback late in the season.  Lowe’s injuries limited him to only 25 games in 2010 between Seattle and Texas. The next season Lowe recovered to have a solid season. Lowe pitched in 52 games in 2011 for Texas, posting a 3.80 ERA, and an 8.4 whiff per nine rate.

Lowe was most infamous for allowing the home run to Cardinal’s David Freese in game 6 of the 2011 World Series for Texas. Lowe continued to have injury problems in 2012. This time it was a strained intercostal muscle that kept him to only pitching in 36 games last season. He still posted a 3.43 ERA, with 28 whiffs in 39 innings pitched. Lowe has been mainly considered a power pitcher by using three pitches, a fastball, slider, and circle change-up. His fastball reportedly can reach speeds of 100 MPH.

Perhaps the Dodgers didn’t give him a guaranteed contract because of all the injuries he has had over the years. Last season Lowe made 1.7 million dollars with Texas. The contract he signed with the Dodgers is worth 1.5 million dollars, if Lowe makes the big league roster. Incentives could increase the value of the contract to 2.1 million dollars.

Lowe has posted a career 3.94 ERA, with a 7.8 whiff per nine rate, and a 3.8 walk per nine rate. He has a 7-20 career record, and has recorded five saves. His spits indicate he is stronger against right handers then left handers, making him a possible intriguing Roogie. (righty one out guy)

Lowe throws very hard, and has always put up decent numbers. It seems like he should have a pretty decent chance to make the opening day roster, considering there are a couple of spots in the Dodger bullpen that will be up for grabs in spring training. Then again he could be just another spring training arm. Only time will tell for Lowe.

If signing Scott Rolen means saying goodbye to Juan Uribe, I’m on board. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Even though Don Mattingly has said that Luis Cruz will start at third base, management seems to be wary of his ability to maintain the level of play which he exhibited last season. Jerry Hairston, Nick Punto, and Juan Uribe can all play third base, but none of those options seem exceedingly agreeable. None of the three can play first base either to back up Adrian Gonzalez which is a glaring weakness on the team going into Spring Training.

Scott Rolen has played nothing but third base over the course of his long 17-year MLB career, yet perhaps he could be a right-hand hitting counterpart to Gonzo at first when needed. Rolen has collected eight Gold Glove Awards, but all of them have been as a third baseman.

Last season with Cincinnati, Rolen played in 92 games and finished with a line of .245/.318/.398 with 8 homeruns and 39 RBI. Rolen, who respectively had a admirable career so far, is an aging veteran whose hitting and defense has been steadily declining. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Dodgers bench, right?

Rolen made $6.5 million with the Reds last season, yet he hasn’t made a decision to whether he wants to play in 2013 yet. Don Mattingly has reportedly spoken with Rolen, and I’m sure he explained that the Dodgers bench would be a perfect fit for him.

If signing Rolen means we can finally cut ties with Uribe, I’m all for it. Interestingly he would be one of a few Scotts in the Dodgers organization (including affiliates) along with Scott Elbert, Scott Van Slyke, Scott Griggs, Scott Schebler, Scott Barlow, and Scott Woodward. Holy Scott!

Anyhow, even with the addition of Rolen, the bench will be a weak part of this 2013 team. Just wait until Mattingly bats Nick Punto in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and the bases loaded.