John Lackey future in Boston

[Station 13]

Lackey has said retirement is on his mind, rather than play for 500K. But I suppose that was just the rum speaking, he is doing quite well and is going to want a new deal. I think they should start by giving him a 1 year extension, paying him the money Dempster left on the table.

 

He also holds great value via trade. I think he will play it out and get a last payday. If Atlanta gave Derek Lowe $60M in the 2008 off-season, Lackey should have no trouble finding someone to pay him.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Station 13

[Station 13]

ughh this was supposed to be a poll, but I screwed it up. It won't let me add it.

 

edit: nevermind, found a way to add a poll.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Station 13

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't trade him. I'd sign him for another 2-3 years.

[Palodios]

Lackey is on pace for 215 innings of 3.24 ERA ball. His options are to take a 2/20 deal from the Red Sox or retire... and I really don't think he wants to retire.

[Bellhorn04]

It's my understanding that there are no direct quotes from Lackey about considering retiring. This all comes from media speculation.

 

I voted one year extension at 15 million, but I think it might take something more like 17 million.

[Spudboy]

Lackey is on pace for 215 innings of 3.24 ERA ball. His options are to take a 2/20 deal from the Red Sox or retire... and I really don't think he wants to retire.

 

Where did you get those numbers? It sounds a little low to me ( and you know I believe all of these guys are way over paid! ).

 

I think the 2/25 is okay and is not that risky. I wonder if he believes that he is due to get another long term contract???? It may sound idiotic to us but it may also be what the market may offer him if he were to become available.

 

I would get this done soon if I were the Sox. Why wait?

 

I think Lester is gone. This is another reason to extend Lackey. He may not be a legit #1 but he can surely be the top of the Sox rotation next year.

[Spudboy]

It's my understanding that there are no direct quotes from Lackey about considering retiring. This all comes from media speculation.

 

I voted one year extension at 15 million, but I think it might take something more like 17 million.

 

Yeah this is what I read also. Just media speculation. Still, it sounds like something that Lackey would think!

 

I say 17 is way too much. But one year at 15 is okay, I guess.

 

I think that he will remain healthy and productive. I think two years would be best but who knows?

[Bellhorn04]

Just to be clear, when I say a one year extension at 17 million, that would mean we have him for 2 years for 17.5 million, an AAV of 8.75 million.

[Spudboy]

Just to be clear, when I say a one year extension at 17 million, that would mean we have him for 2 years for 17.5 million, an AAV of 8.75 million.

 

OH!!!!! That I like very much! I doubt that Lackey would be happy with it though!

[Palodios]

It's my understanding that there are no direct quotes from Lackey about considering retiring. This all comes from media speculation.

 

I voted one year extension at 15 million, but I think it might take something more like 17 million.

 

Someone asked him about the option this week. His response was : I will consider all options available.

Red Sox brass have mentioned in the past that they don't want to offend Lackey by picking up the option. I think there is enough evidence here.

 

 

Where did you get those numbers? It sounds a little low to me ( and you know I believe all of these guys are way over paid! ).

 

Lackey will be 36 next season. So he either takes the minimum and hits free agency at 37, "retires" and comes back at 37, or gets a player friendly deal from the Red Sox. I don't think the Red Sox will want to pay more than 20 million for just Lackey's 37 year old season either. Maybe it is 2/23-2/25, but I doubt it gets much higher than that.

[Spudboy]

It's all speculation.

 

It would be nice to see Lackey sign a team fair offer. He did sign the contract that allowed for the 500K minimum if he were to lose time. I say morally he owes the Sox a year so he should sign an extension that is friendly to the Sox.

[Station 13]

Lackey is on pace for 215 innings of 3.24 ERA ball. His options are to take a 2/20 deal from the Red Sox or retire... and I really don't think he wants to retire.

 

if Lackey hit the market with that number, he'd easily get 3/50M. Having an option on him gives the Sox a bit of leverage. Either takes a modest extension, or sit out 1 year and he have to take a 1 year contract to prove himself all over.

[mvp 78]

OH!!!!! That I like very much! I doubt that Lackey would be happy with it though!

 

Yeah, still a lowball offer imo.

[Bellhorn04]

So does the 2/25 option in the poll means adding 2 years and 50 million to his one year for 500K?

[Station 13]

So does the 2/25 option in the poll means adding 2 years and 50 million to his one year for 500K?

 

2/25M would be a new contract, throwing out his 500K option.

[Spudboy]

I think that 2/25 would be very good for both sides.

 

It's just that all starting pitcher's salaries are out of whack to me.

 

Grenkie (Sp ), Kershaw, etc. It has polluted and distorted the market in my eyes.

 

Imagine turning down 148 mil?????

[Spudboy]

And I don't care what Fangraphs or WAR inticate!!!!!!

[Beaneater]

It's all speculation.

 

It would be nice to see Lackey sign a team fair offer. He did sign the contract that allowed for the 500K minimum if he were to lose time. I say morally he owes the Sox a year so he should sign an extension that is friendly to the Sox.

 

This is where I stand too. He signed the contract; there's no point pouting about it now. Either we take the one cheap year, or we offer a contract that basically includes one year's worth of value free of charge. If we do neither of those things, what was the point of having the injury clause in the contract in the first place?

[a700hitter]

Morally? Are you guys kidding? It's got nothing to do with morality. In business, that is pretty rare. It's all about leverage. Both parties have leverage here, but I think Lackey has the edge. I can tell you one thing that will not be an outcome. He will not allow himself to be traded to another team without a renegotiation or a threat of retirement. That makes his trade value plummet.

[jacksonianmarch]

Morally? Are you guys kidding? It's got nothing to do with morality. In business, that is pretty rare. It's all about leverage. Both parties have leverage here, but I think Lackey has the edge. I can tell you one thing that will not be an outcome. He will not allow himself to be traded to another team without a renegotiation or a threat of retirement. That makes his trade value plummet.

 

And, he's already pocketed $85 mil. So it isn't like he needs the $500K. He's gonna get 8 figures in 2015. Bank on it

[a700hitter]

And, he's already pocketed $85 mil. So it isn't like he needs the $500K. He's gonna get 8 figures in 2015. Bank on it

Whether he needs the money has nothing to do with it. All that matters is whether he can get more. This is a high paid guy at the end of his career. He is not going to want to do battle for minimum wage, and he won't if he has leverage to renegotiate.

[Beecke]

There is no big rush here IMO. He will see good money, of that I have no doubt and I do think he will stay with the Sox. The way he is pitching right now and has done ever since TJS is well good enough to warrant another contract with decent money attached to it. He seems to be a good clubhouse guy, dedicated and driven to stay a competitive pitcher, so even if he tails off a bit, he will be a valuable piece to the rotation. From his standpoint I think it makes a lot of sense, too. Fenway suits him IMO, after being kind of a villain at the start of his time here he has seriously turned things around and become a bit of a cult hero, so he is well liked in Boston. At his age he won´t be playing too long anymore, so why go somewhere else, unfamiliar and risk playing in an environment that doesn´t appreciate you?

 

Also, I´ve always had a mancrush on him, even before he became all skinny :-), so I want him to stay.

[a700hitter]

There is no big rush here IMO. He will see good money, of that I have no doubt and I do think he will stay with the Sox. The way he is pitching right now and has done ever since TJS is well good enough to warrant another contract with decent money attached to it. He seems to be a good clubhouse guy, dedicated and driven to stay a competitive pitcher, so even if he tails off a bit, he will be a valuable piece to the rotation. From his standpoint I think it makes a lot of sense, too. Fenway suits him IMO, after being kind of a villain at the start of his time here he has seriously turned things around and become a bit of a cult hero, so he is well liked in Boston. At his age he won´t be playing too long anymore, so why go somewhere else, unfamiliar and risk playing in an environment that doesn´t appreciate you?

 

Also, I´ve always had a mancrush on him, even before he became all skinny :-), so I want him to stay.

So, you are a horseman.

[Spudboy]

LOl.

 

The guy makes a good post comprised of facts, and good observations then he craps all over himself with admitting a man crush?

 

I have always Said that I admired ol' Horseface from when he was with the Angels. I still like him as a pitcher. Never liked his contract. Never had a man crush on him, either.

 

This team will need at least one quality veteran pitcher on the Roster next year. With Lester likely gone and Peavey not worth resigning, keeping Horseface is a good idea, I think.

[Station 13]

Lackey will pitch next year, he wants another pay day. The Sox should open dialog early to retain him, starting by ripping up his 500K option and giving him a 2 year deal. If he doesn't bites, he makes 500K next year then hit the market.

[sk7326]

Given what Lackey has produced - if the Sox offered a 2/35 sort of deal replacing next year, that would be a win for everybody. The contract would be a little less tradeable than at 500K obviously - but a guy as productive as Lackey has been (and as durable) has enough value that a contender would not blink at that short a commitment if they are a starter away.

[Station 13]

Did anyone watch him today? he was throwing 93-94 regularly with command.

 

his last 6 starts he has a 1.60ERA, pitch into the 7th inning or more in all.

[sk7326]

Did anyone watch him today? he was throwing 93-94 regularly with command.

 

his last 6 starts he has a 1.60ERA, pitch into the 7th inning or more in all.

 

He has been terrific - and frankly the entire rotation has been just fine.

 

I'd give him the Ortiz treatment ... rip up next season, 2 years, 35-40 million ... one vesting option, one team option.

[Bellhorn04]

Cherington is saying he expects Lackey to honor the existing contract.

[a700hitter]

Cherington is saying he expects Lackey to honor the existing contract.

= negotiating posture