Olney On Lackey, Astros, Rangers, Doumit, Carroll

In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes about Michael Bourn, and how he went from hitting .218 with a .273 OBP in the first half of 2008 to hitting .285 with a .354 OBP in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from Astros' coach Dave Clark. Here's a roundup of Olney's rumors... The Angels last offer to John Lackey was a $72MM package, made earlier this year. Olney's educated guess is that the Mariners are the best bet to sign Lackey, followed in order by the Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees. Olney hears that the Astros "are cutting payroll, and will have the flexibility to make only minor moves, such as getting a right-handed hitting third baseman, to platoon with Geoff Blum." Tom Hicks is still trying to find a way to hold onto the Rangers, but bids from prospective buyers are due next week. The Pirates "first made it clear" they were willing to deal Ryan Doumit before the trade deadl...