Buzz: John Lackey looking for a 5-year Deal
Though he might prefer to play for the Rangers, Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers are among the logical landing spots for soon-to-be free-agent RHP John Lackey, who will start Game 1 of ALCS for the Angels on Friday.
Heyman says Lackey rejected a three-year, $40 million contract extension last spring from the Angels that would have taken affect at the start of next season.
According to Heyman, “Lackey could double that as a free agent,” i.e., A.J. Burnett money, or $82.5 million over five years.
The 30–year-old Lackey finished the regular season 11–8 with a 3.83 ERA in 27 starts, while missing six weeks at the start of the season with a forearm strain.
He also missed the first six weeks in 2008 with a strained tricep, but finished the season 12–5 in 24 starts with a 3.75 ERA.
…i do not know enough about lackey… friends who love the Angels have told me he throws strikes, he’s a big-time competitor, and he is always in command of his stuff, but, though this serves him well most starts, because of it, he can get burned pretty easily and doesn’t seem to have the ability to adjust and work out of trouble…
…also, as i have said before, he looks a bit Peter Brady, see…
To read more from Heyman, regarding Lackey, as well as the future of Rick Peterson, Billy Wagner, Milton Bradley and Oliver Perez, who is moving to Arizona this winter, click here.
