John Lackey is the obvious premiere pitcher on the free agent market this winter. Although he is 31 years old, he is going to command quite a contract.
A few knocks on Lackey:
He has a career WHIP of 1.31. He has tossed just 163.1 and 176.1 innings the past two in 2008 and 2009, respectively. He won 19 games in 2007 but otherwise has never won more than 14 games in a season. And, more politically, he has made just one All-Star team and received Cy Young votes just once.
But Lackey is a bulldog; we all saw him yelling at manager Mike Scioscia against the Yankees when he was being taken out. Moreover, he averages 219 innings for every 34 starts. So, if healthy, you can pencil him in for 200+ innings a year.
Alas, that’s the thing: Lackey has not been healthy—51 starts over the last two seasons. And he’s already 31. Do you really want to give him a five-year deal for around $15 million a year?
You have to. Lackey does not put up jaw-dropping numbers on a yearly basis, but he gives you remarkable consistency. He eats innings and, although he gets hit hard, he keeps his team in the game. And he’s post-season proven.
This guy is going to get paid. Whichever team does it will be richly rewarded.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: John Lackey, Mike Scioscia
Lackey is an absolute horse, I hope the Yanks do what it takes (within reason) to get him in their rotation.