12/04/24
December 14, 2009
John Lackey to Red Sox. 5 years, $85 million. The deal is done.: Angels interested in Matsui.
It isn't done yet, and JButton, you've been asked by administrators not to do this kind of thing very recently.
posted by dfleming at 04:39 PM on December 14, 2009
Come on dfleming !
His original link confirmed it. That's all you need to know.
posted by tommybiden at 04:47 PM on December 14, 2009
Here's bettin' it's done.
posted by mjkredliner at 04:57 PM on December 14, 2009
I suspect the deal may come to fruition, but I don't think I had my panties in a wad fer nothin'. At the time of the posting, the deal was not finalized.
posted by tommybiden at 05:05 PM on December 14, 2009
JButton: "The deal is done" means the mainstream media or the teams involved are confirming it. Not you.
posted by rcade at 05:12 PM on December 14, 2009
He could tell you how he knows, but then he'd have to kill you.
posted by smithnyiu at 05:37 PM on December 14, 2009
He could tell you how he knows, but then he'd have to kill you.
That's JBond, not JButton.
posted by tommybiden at 05:49 PM on December 14, 2009
Does Lackey really scare anyone? I know he has good numbers, but I just don't fear the guy.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:06 PM on December 14, 2009
Does Lackey really scare anyone? I know he has good numbers, but I just don't fear the guy.
He's been slightly better than Beckett over the last 5 years (ERA+128 / 116). I'm guessing the difference between Lackey and Doc for the sox isn't worth the extra money it would take.
And I have no idea how many runs being feared is worth.
posted by justgary at 11:10 PM on December 14, 2009
If the Yankees let Gojira go to the Angels, they're morons. And just like his namesake, he WILL be back to destroy New York.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:01 PM on December 15, 2009
Hideki Matsui is a 35 year-old (36 at the start of next season) left fielder who's averaged 107 games over the last 4 years. His fielding is such that he's essentially a DH. I can't see letting him go as a terrible move.
posted by yerfatma at 03:18 PM on December 15, 2009
That's because you haven't watched the right movies.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:23 PM on December 15, 2009
Lackey in Boston will not have to be the #1. He's more likely to be the 3rd starter behind Lester and Beckett. In that spot he could have an excellent season. With Buchholz and a (hopefully) revitalized Matsuzaka, as well as Wakefield, Boston now has 6 who can start. There is also minor league depth in Bowden and Tazawa, both of whom need seasoning but can fill in if needed. Mike Cameron has been added for the outfield, so there is plenty of leather behind the pitchers.
Jason Bay is gone. His agent placed a value that is too high on him, and Boston was unwilling to pay. The big mistake was for Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, to issue an ultimatum. Theo Epstein does not take kindly to this sort of negotiation.
posted by Howard_T at 03:39 PM on December 15, 2009
There is also minor league depth in Bowden and Tazawa, both of whom need seasoning but can fill in if needed.
God help us if needed.
I also don't believe the ultimatum was much more than bluster. I think at that point the Red Sox had probably given Urbon enough reasons to be sure Bay wasn't getting what he wanted. The fact that the Lackey and Cameron deals were done so quickly shows that Theo was leaning that way for a while.
And if they DID believe signing Bay for what he wanted was the right move, Theo deciding against it because he got his feelings hurt would be pretty sad. I have more confidence in him than that.
I don't think the Red Sox ever, before the ultimatum, or after, were going to pay Bay what he wanted. Bay's agent thought that they'd eventually change their mind, especially after Halladay signed. He realized that wasn't going to happen and lashed out. But I don't think it affected anything.
posted by justgary at 04:07 PM on December 15, 2009
Gary - I think there is a world of difference between Lackey and Halladay. But I also think that it's a better move for Boston as they keep a lot of their young talent and don't have to pay a player price.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:21 PM on December 15, 2009
weed, agreed.
Lackey reminds me of Schilling, a guy who can be real good in the clutch but at other times average.
Halladay is a one man wrecking crew and was on target for the cy before the Jays management circus completely destroyed everything about the team. He still was the best pitcher in the toughest division in baseball .. 21 wins next year doesn't sound unlikely.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:41 PM on December 15, 2009
I think there is a world of difference between Lackey and Halladay.
Sure there is. Halladay is a hall of fame pitcher; Lackey isn't. But Halladay is also a better pitcher than Beckett and Lester. That doesn't mean that Beckett, Lester, and Lackey couldn't make a formidable front 3. I think for the Red Sox to take Halladay the Yankees would have stepped in. I think both teams are happy to have him out of the American League.
Lackey reminds me of Schilling, a guy who can be real good in the clutch but at other times average.
Schilling is a borderline hall of famer. He may have never been halladay, but in no way was ever an average pitcher. Not even close.
posted by justgary at 11:30 AM on December 16, 2009
The deal isn't quite done.
From your link:
Top free agent pitcher John Lackey is said to be in agreement on a five-year, $85 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, sources say. Lackey has scheduled a physical with the team.
Lackey's deal with the Red Sox is similar to the $82.5 million, five-year contract A.J. Burnett got with the Yankees last offseason. "That's what they were looking for,'' an AL executive said.
Lackey has had a couple minor issues with his shoulder and back in recent seasons, so the Red Sox will want to check him out. But nothing serious is expected to be found.
That sounds like not a done deal at this point in time.