Yardbarker: John Lackey

Tuesday Rockpile: Arbitration offer deadline is today - Rockies to decide on Betancourt

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:08:19 -0500

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP Arbitration: some people get it, and some people just don't. Browse more photos » It is December 1, meaning today is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration, at least to qualify for draft pick compensation. Betancourt is likely the only Rockie to receive salary arbitration offer, writes Troy Renck, leaving Joe Beimel, Jason Marquis and Yorvit Torrealba free. &n...

Halladay to the Yanks Would Bring Destruction

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:30:43 -0500

Major League Baseball, as it has nothing to write about, has decided to provide pointless articles on such fascinating subjects as what Marco Scutaro had for breakfast and John Lackey’s favorite shade of blue. Needless to say, I wouldn’t advise reading this lame fan fodder. It’s the offseason, nothing is happening, and MLB.com is freaking [...]

Marchand: Lackey Would Be Lucky To Get A Deal Like Burnett's

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:19:00 -0500

ESPN Radio's Andrew Marchand wrote today that he was told by an MLB executive that John Lackey would be lucky to get a deal like the five-year $82.5 million that A.J. Burnett got from the Yankees last winter. The executive also said that won't be that many buyers this winter, and Lackey could come down to a bidding war between the Yankees and Mets.

Free Agent Buzz: Bay, Lackey, Holliday, Chapman

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:53:51 -0500

Matt Holliday is a key free agent thisoff-season Outfielder Jason Bay had until 11:59 p.m. Thursday to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox. To no one’s surprise, Bay didn’t budge, electing to test the market. SI.com’s John Heyman reported that the Sox offered Bay four-years, $60 million. Heyman predicted Bay to pull in around $85 million. We get the feeling that for awhile, it’s going to be all speculation. So, with that The Biz of Baseball takes a look at the free agent buzz on Bay and other top free agents: Newsday reported that the New York Mets are “Big Name Hunting.” Here’s what Newsday writer David Lennon said about the Mets plans: Despite the price, the Mets understand they can't afford to come up empty, not after three straight seasons of missing the playoffs and then watching the Yankees win the World Series this year. Other than Lackey, the only marquee names are Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, so the choices are limited. It just remains to be seen how many teams are as desperate as the Mets, who are eager for a quick fix - or at least the appearance of one. The good news is that the Yankees seem uninterested in the same players and that could keep the prices reasonable. The bad? The Red Sox are likely to be the main competition instead. St. Louis Post Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz offers solutions in negotiating with super-agent Scott Boras concerning outfielder Matt Holliday in his piece “It’s best to ignore Scott Boras’ bombast.” Miklasz says: But this isn't really about winning — unless we're talking about the real Boras goal here, which is winning the biggest jackpot. Boras wants a Mark Teixeira deal — eight years, $180 million — for Holliday. The Cardinals need to wait this out. Hold steady. There is no rush; Boras is in no hurry. Boras plans to slow-play these negotiations, calmly spinning a web until he can lure a GM or owner into his trap. Boras only needs one patsy to make this click. All it takes is one nervous GM or owner to lunge for the Boras bait. And if that one sucker steps up, Boras will exploit their interest for every last dollar. And if Boras finds a malleable dupe, someone willing to wildly overpay, then the Cardinals are out of it. The Sporting News reported that the Washington Nationals would like to take a shot at free agent pitcher John Lackey: The team's Web site reports the Nats want Lackey to be their ace and to mentor the club's young starters, such as left-handers John Lannan and Ross Detwiler and right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Washington will face stiff competition for Lackey. The Angels would like to re-sign him, and high-profile teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, among others, are expected to make offers. Teams other than the Angels can discuss financial terms with Lackey's agent beginning Friday. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said during the season that he would look to acquire a veteran starter this winter, and he laid out what he's looking for in a staff leader. Yahoo! Sports via the Los Angeles Times reported this week that John Lackey has a plethora of teams looking his way: Lackey supposedly wants to sign a deal worth more than $100 million and has interest from the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. Figgins is likely to sign a deal for half of that and his suitors supposedly include the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs. Another source of buzz has been Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman. The left-hander was named fourth best free agent by Yahoo! Sports. As expected, the usual suspects looking in his direction. So far, the Seattle Mariners have expressed interest, as have the Boston Red Sox, while the Chicago Cubs, White Sox and Atlanta Braves have denied any interest. The Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles are also in the mix. Here are some links to stories about Chapman from the Seattle Times, MLB.com, Chicago Tribune Unfortunately for those obsessed with the Hot Stove, it seems very little will be hashed out before Santa Claus shows up. Remember, it wasn’t until Dec. 23 of last year that Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees. But, C.C. Sabathia signed on Dec. 10 and the Astros signed Carlos Lee on Nov. 24. So, even though we have no way of predicting, why not try? OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK (THE BIZ OF FOOTBALL) Tony Dungy Leads New NFL Player Advisory Forum Jon Gruden Signs Mult-Year Extension with ESPN At Midseason, NFL TV Ratings Exceptionally Strong Boise St. Engages PR Firm in Attempt to Gain BCS Game Does the NFL Salary Cap Still Work? (THE BIZ OF HOCKEY) Relocating NHL Franchises to Canada Inside the Numbers: The 2009 Forbes NHL Valuations NHLPA Votes to Create Two Committees, Approves Donald Fehr to Assist in Exec. Dir. Search The NHL Works to Address Head Hits (THE BIZ OF BASKETBALL) Despite Economy Early NBA Attendance Only Down 2% Daktronics to Provide Massive Video Display for Amway Center (SPORTS BASH) Because It's Good For You: Rob Neyer Matthew Coller is staff member of the Business of Sports Network and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter Follow The Biz of Baseballl on Twitter Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook

An Emotional Plea for John Lackey's Return

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:32:59 -0500

I am surprised by the general sentiments that have befallen over fellow HH’ers regarding John Lackey. It seems that many seem rather indifferent over whether we sign Big John or not. Many of the off-season posts are acting as if Lackey is as good as gone. Perhaps, this stems from a lack of confidence in our FO putting up the $ to re-sign him. But I ask you this: How is John Lackey NOT the face of this organization? And why wouldn’t the FO put up the money? Many o...

AOL Fanhouse's Top 50 Free Agents

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:20:00 -0500

With the free agent market officially open AOL Fanhouse has listed their top 50 free agents. Toping the list is John Lackey. You can find all the characteristics of an ace in Lackey. He has the big-game experience, has thrived in that environment, and the ability is obviously there. You can bet all the usual suspects will be in on the action for the 6-foot-6 right-hander. This isn't a guy you need to worry about falling flat after he signs either. Lackey is a pitcher who isn't afraid ...

Dodgers No Likey Lackey?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0500

Hey, actual baseball news! From Bill Shaikin at the LA Times: Even with starting pitching as their most pressing need, the Dodgers do not plan to pursue John Lackey, the best starter available in free agency. [...] [Dodgers president Dennis] Mannion would not say what the Dodgers' payroll might be next season or whether the team made money last season. He noted that the team did not raise prices on season tickets or parking last season and would not do so next season. "You can'...

Right Now, Signing John Lackey Makes Little Sense for the Nationals

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:15:00 -0500

I was surprised when I heard that the Brewers had interest in John Lackey, but I was completely shocked to see that the Nationals are throwing around the idea of signing Lackey:"The Nationals are one of several teams who have expressed interest in free agent right-hander John Lackey, according to a baseball source.The team is reportedly in competition with the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees and Mets for his services. The Nationals are looking for an ace who can tutor pitchers such as John Lan...

Don't bother wasting another breath talking about John Lackey coming to D.C., okay?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:38:09 -0500

(AP Photo. There's not a chance in hell John Lackey ends up in Washington. But, we'll waste a minute on the topic anyway.) Nope. No Chance. MLB dot com's Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals have "expressed interest" in signing John Lackey: The Nationals are one of several teams who have expressed interest in free agent right-hander John Lackey, according to a baseball source. The team is reportedly in...

Hot Stove Rumos: Lackey, Guerrero & Doumit

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:45:51 -0500

The Red Sox are interested in John Lackey According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox met with John Lackey’s agent at the GM meetings last week in Chicago. Lackey, 31, went 11-8 this season with a 3.83 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 139 strikeouts but he also battled elbow issues. The Rangers are showing [...]

Should the Brewers Sign John Lackey?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:25:00 -0500

I'm skeptical, but Buster Olney is more optomisitic than I:"Remember, it was only a year ago when Milwaukee offered CC Sabathia a $100 million deal, so the Brewers clearly are prepared to pay big dollars for a big-time starting pitcher. And they have a clear need: Even with rising star Yovani Gallardo anchoring the staff, Milwaukee ranked dead last in starters' ERA at 5.37 and 27th in rotation innings this past season.The Brewers conceivably could enter into trade conversations ...

Let's examine why Scioscia took out Lackey

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:41:54 -0500

I actually supported Mike Scioscia's decision to Remove John Lackey the time, although I'll admit to cursing him a few moments later. However, here is why I think Scioscia made that move and why I originally agreed with the move. 1. The tying Yankees runner is at the plate and he is a slugger - Mark Teixeira. 2. In his first 2 at bats it seemed Tex's bat had woken up. He his a single in his first at bat and his second was a hard shot to deep left field. It appeared Tex ...