He has a pretty good case for himself over A-Rod.
Here are their compared stats:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?statType=1&c_id=mlb&readBoxes=true&statSet1=null&venueID=&baseballScope=AL&prevPage1=1&teamPosCode=5&compare.x=30&compare.x=&timeFrame=1&sitSplit=§ion1=null&subScope=pos&compare.y=8&timeSubFrame=2006&box1=XXXX121347nya5&box2=XXXX136780bos5&compare.x=&sortByStat=AVG&
In less AB's, Lowell has more hits, doubles, extra base hits, total bases, and a higher AVG, and SLG%. And not to mention WAY less K's.
Pretty good case for the first year Red Sox.