As I was reading through the avalanche of articles about Mike Lowell's official resigning yesterday, and the press conference he held with Theo Epstein about the contract, I noticed that different reporters were quoting Mike in different ways. And in a situation like this, where the whole of Red Sox fandom has been hanging by a thread waiting to see what would happen, the slight rephrasing of Mike's words can make a big difference.

So here's my cut at a transcript of Mike's thoughts during yesterday's press conference. Hopefully, these are as close to the real thing as you can get without closed captioning.

Thoughts on the difficulty in making the decision:

It wasn't tough in the sense that I knew I wanted to play in Boston. Frankly, I think what we wanted was four years. So I think the tough part was filtering between four years with other teams, or three years with the Red Sox. But I can't say that I'm upset with the situation. I mean, how can you be upset with the money I'm going to be making in the next three years, and with a team that I believe is going to compete for a world title? I always expressed how much I enjoyed playing here in Boston with my teammates, and my manager, and all the fans, and I don't think that has changed a bit. So, I'm actually very happy and looking forward to working hard this offseason and getting myself ready for spring training. There were definitely things that were considered. Not everything about the whole process was easy, but I'm glad with the way these things have ended.

On whether he came close to cutting ties with Boston:

There were things that were considered. Definitely. I think that the amount of money that was left on the table . . . I didn't really struggle with it, but I was thinking, 'Is guaranteeing that fourth year something I should really pass up?' The analysis I did with my family was, you look at the cities and you look at the teams, you see where they fit, and you compare that with the way you feel and the way you fit with the Red Sox. So ultimately my fit and my comfort level, with my family and my team here in Boston outweighed those other options. It was tough. There were very, very generous offers being made. And I was very appreciative of the teams that contacted my agents and myself.

On support from team and fans for his return:

It's very flattering. Especially after a World Series, it's easy to have a honeymoon for awhile- because everything's going well. And then I think sometimes when negotiations start happening like this... there's speculation, and not everyone paints the proper picture- for either side. I think there could have been a chance where maybe some things were written where the fanbase maybe could have taken it a little bit the wrong way. And either to urge someone to make a decision or not-- and I'm saying that more from the press side, than my side or the Red Sox side. So the fact that this is done and I'm coming back and everything has stayed the same... It is very flattering and I'm very happy about that because I feel the fans have embraced me and I've embraced the fan base of Boston since day one. I've enjoyed playing in Boston since the first day I was traded, so hopefully that can remain for three more years.

On his team staying the same from '07:

I think it can only help. We did have some new pieces with Dice-K and Okey, Julio Lugo and JD were the big guys that came in. Pedroia also, I know he was with the organization, but it was his first time at the big league we were with him- I think it can only hep from a comfort factor, especially the guys in the middle - Lugo and Pedroia- feeling that much more comfortable. And the fact that we won and were able to succeed with this group makes us feel like we should be able to do it again -- or at least make a good run.

On the factors that made him choose fewer years/dollars:

I'd say there were several factors. First, I enjoy Boston. My family enjoys Boston. Secondly, I believe the Red Sox organization is one that does everything it can to win a world championship - and at this point in my career, that's a big factor. I can't say that would have been the main factor if this was the second year in the big leagues for me. Thirdly, before this contract I had financial security, so I like to believe that I'm not all about money. I feel like I'm more of a baseball player than a businessman. So, I kind of weighed where I felt comfortable and where I thought I'd produce the best with a team that has a chance to win a world championship.... and it was Boston. On top of that, we just won and I played with a set of teammates that are unparalleled and with a manager the same way and with a fan base is unbelievable. I really don't believe everything should be about money. I've had teammates in the past who have gone to other places. Sometimes they have second thoughts that they took more money elsewhere. I just didn't think my happiness should be bought just by dollars.

Possibility of moving to first base:

I understand that everyone in New England thinks if you play for the Red Sox, you have to hate the Yankees. And unfortunately, although everytime we play the Yankees I want to beat them, I came up through their system and there was a lot of people within that organization that were very instrumental to me getting to the big leagues and having the career I have. So, that utter hatred I just don't have, because they actually helped me in a big way. So it was definitely a factor, because that's another organization I'm familiar with. And like I said the parameters of where I weigh a team is "are they going to be a playoff contender? a team that year in, year out will do what it can to win a world championship?" And obviously the Yankees fit that bill. It was somewhat diminished by the fact of moving to first. I think it would have been more of a consideration if it would have been staying at third. But once again, I'm very happy staying here and I look forward to the rivalry between the two teams.

Any time during negotiations he thought it wasn't going to work out with the Sox:

I would say I was optimistic for 90% of the negotiations. Obviously at the beginning, my goal was to play for four years, to get a four year contract. I think the market warranted it, and it was something that I wanted, so I felt like that was a major concession. And I just think that I had to weigh the options. But I would say that the negotiations, for the most part, were very open and very professional. So, I'd say I really never thought things were going to break down, but maybe the parameters of which I thought we'd be able to accomplish at the beginning were a little different.

And some video of Jason Varitek discussing the re-signing, after the jump: