How close was Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell to becoming a New York Yankee?
A medical file away, to be exact.
According to a WEEI source, the Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers had agreed on a three-team deal that would have sent Lowell to New York, brought Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Boston and sent prospects to Texas prior to the July 31 deadline.
However, after reviewing Lowell's medical file, the Yankees grew concerned and backed out of the deal on July 30.
So with the deal axed, the Sox and Rangers worked out a swap of their own that saw Saltalamacchia come to Boston in exchange for prospects Roman Mendez, Chris McGuiness, a player to be named and $350,000.
Lowell would have had the final say as the Yankees are one of the clubs to which he has the option to veto a trade.
