Lackey to Red Sox...

[Benjamin Grimm]

This was mentioned by Ashie in a few other threads, but here it is in all its glory:

Lackey undergoes physical for Red Sox
Reports indicate signing of top free-agent pitcher likely

By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- The Red Sox already have two aces in their rotation. They could be poised to add a third. According to FOXSports.com, free agent right-hander John Lackey underwent a physical for the Red Sox on Monday.

Typically, teams only give physicals to free agents they are on the verge of signing.

FOXSports.com speculated that the deal will be similar to the five-year, $82.5 million contract that A.J. Burnett signed with the Yankees last winter.

Lackey would join Jon Lester and Josh Beckett in what would have to be considered one of the most formidable rotation trios in the Major Leagues.

AOL Fanhouse was the first outlet to report on Monday that the Red Sox were having Lackey take a physical.

The news of Lackey being close to a deal with the Red Sox comes just two days after agent Joe Urbon said that Boston was starting to lose its grasp on his client -- left fielder Jason Bay.

In other words, the Red Sox could simply be re-allocating the money they would have needed to retain Bay, using it for a star pitcher instead of a slugger.

The 31-year-old Lackey is known for his fierce competitiveness. He has spent his entire career with the Angels.

Aside from the Angels, the Mariners had also been trying to sign Lackey. The Mets kicked the tires, but it was never clear how much interest they had. The Red Sox first spoke to Lackey's representatives right after the negotiating period with free agents began in November.

Initial efforts to reach Steve Hilliard, who represents Lackey, were unsuccessful. The Red Sox don't comment on any free agent negotiations until they are complete.

In 2009, Lackey went 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA, making 27 starts. He helped the Angels advance to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. In fact, Lackey pitched a gem against the Red Sox in Game 1 of the AL Division Series, firing 7 1/3 shutout innings. The Angels swept that series in three games.

For his career, Lackey is 102-71 with a 3.81 ERA. He has pitched in 234 games, all but one of them starts. He broke in with the Angels in 2002, helping the club cap a World Series championship by defeating the Giants in Game 7 of that Fall Classic.

Lackey's best season was 2007, when he went 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA and made the All-Star team.

Making a radio appearance on WEEI back in November, Red Sox manager Terry Francona had plenty of praise for Lackey.

"John Lackey is one of the best. Every year, there are a couple of guys that seems like they can sway the fortunes of an organization," Francona said to hosts Dale Arnold and Michael Holley. "I think he's that type of pitcher. Now, to get that type of pitcher, you're going to have to make quite a commitment. That's something that makes our organization a little bit uneasy. It doesn't mean a guy can't come in and help you win, but if there's an injury along the way, that can set your organization back quite a bit. There's a lot to think about besides just the year 2010. But you're possibly talking about 2015. That's a lot of years."

Francona was also asked during that segment if he thought Lackey was an ace-caliber pitcher.

"Yeah, I probably do," Francona said. "He's missed a little bit of time. But when he's out there, I think their team feels like they're going to win. He can match up against [Josh] Beckett, [Jon] Lester, he can go head to head with the better guys in the league and hold his own. So yeah, I would probably say so."

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Halladay reportedly is in Philadelphia as we speak or write or post or whatever.

[metirish]

Was Lackey a pressing need for the Sox?....

[TransMonk]

I love the Sox pitching...but if their Bay money is going to Lackey, I'm not all that impressed with their returning offense.

[TransMonk]

Can we get Pinero and Marquis now?

[Frayed Knot]

Was Lackey a pressing need for the Sox?....

Considering that Beckett's deal runs out after 2010 and that they weren't all that close to the Yanx this season ... in their mind I'm sure that makes it a 'yeah'.

I love the Sox pitching...but if their Bay money is going to Lackey, I'm not all that impressed with their returning offense.

No Bay, no Lowell (although questions in the physical are holding up that deal), a declining Ortiz, a virtually finished Varitek, plus their 3rd long-term commitment to a SS* in the last 5 years ... yeah, I'd say there are questions.




* Rentirea, then Lugo, now Scutaro -- hopefully, for them, they won't have to pay this one off to go away

[Guest Edgy DC]

The Sox seem to have a really expensive starting rotation, but they're signed at nicely staggered intervals and, with the salaries incrementally distributed, the contracts don't mature at the same time.

This is 2010:

(OE: Lackey): ~$18 milllion
Beckett $10 million
Matsuzaka: $8 million
Lester: $3.75 million
Wakefield: $3.5 million

$43.5 is a lot, but not so much of a hit in one year considering the value of their contracts is $224 million over 22 years total, or $44.8 million on average. That includes option years. I'd guess with all that money flying around, they'd really take a punch one year here or there. But they don't.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Agreed. If you're going to overinvest ad absurdium in your starting rotation, you want to do it as the Sox have done it.

MFYs not so bad either on that front-- A-Rod signed through 2017, Teixeira through 2016, Sabathia through 2015 (w/player opt-out after 2011), Burnett through 2013, Cano through 2011 (w/club options through 2013), Posada done in 2011, Jeter and Rivera done next year, Chamberlain and Hughes under control for 4 more years.

[metirish]

Lester makes $18 million next season? WOW

[Guest Number 6]

I think he meant that to be Lackey, as Lester is listed again below at $3.75 mills, which is correct.

[metirish]

I think he meant that to be Lackey, as Lester is listed again below at $3.75 mills, which is correct.[/quote:30b87y3s]


Ah, ok . I see that now.

[Guest attgig]

So, where does Beckett go after 2010?

[ashie62]

So, the Mets have not been involved yet..

Still need LF, starting C, another SP

Or..Pagan, Santos & a healthy Niese in lieu of signings