John Lackey News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 7

Boston Herald

columnist Ron Borges

"In his first appearance facing live fire, John Lackey reminded the denizens of Red Sox Nation why he was handed $82.5 million to flee the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the Boston Red Sox of New England. He gets people out in a hurry. In the grand scheme of things it means nothing what a guy does in his first spring training start, but for Lackey everything this spring has heightened meaning because for the last two years he didn't get out of Arizona without a visit to the disabled list. Now in balmy Florida, he's working as carefully as a cat on a hot tin roof as he prepares for what he hopes will be his first injury-free spring training stint since 2007. If yesterday's two-inning, ..."

New pitcher can't wait to get started

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February 19

Boston Globe

"John Lackey has not been in uniform for Opening Day since 2007. He started the 2008 season on the disabled list with triceps tendinitis and last year was left behind in spring training with a sore right elbow. After the Red Sox signed Lackey to a five-year, $82.5 million deal in December, they set about trying to prevent that from happening again. Lackey was invited to Boston in early January to work with pitching coach John Farrell and learn exercises designed to strengthen his arm. "We've done some things in the winter, maybe more aggressively than he's done in the past, with his shoulder and elbow because we are aware of how he's come out of camp the last two years,'' manager Terry ..."

Start's key for John Lackey

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February 19

Boston Herald

"It's hard to argue with John Lackey's results over the last two years, but his resume has one hole. April. Lackey has opened the last two seasons on the disabled list with triceps and forearm injuries, respectively. The Red Sox bestowed an $82.5 million contract on him in December with the hope and expectation that he will make at least 30 starts a year. Their first order of business, then, will be ensuring he's ready to go when the season opens in six weeks, because he hasn't debuted before mid-May since 2007. "For sure, I think I'm definitely going to be a little more careful this year," Lackey said yesterday after his first full workout with the Red Sox. "I definitely want to start on ..."

John Lackey knows all about big spots

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January 15

Boston Herald

"Anyone worried about John Lackey's ability to handle the pressure of Boston need only consider his very first postseason. As a rookie with the Angels in 2002, Lackey wasn't just called upon to pitch against the Giants in the World Series, he was tabbed to start Game 7 on short rest. It was his third appearance of the series - he tossed 2 innings of relief in Game 2 and started Game 4 - and he wasn't the least bit fazed. He limited the Giants to one run in five innings, earning the win as the Angels rally-monkeyed their way to a title. After that moment, it's fair to say nothing else the new Red Sox right-hander ever encounters on the mound will qualify as remotely intimidating. "I'll never ..."

Two-part harmony

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January 13

Boston Globe

"The first thing John Lackey does after entering his two-story condo is grab the football sitting on a side table in his living room. Then he picks up a remote. Flipping the football in one hand, he points the remote at a large painting that dominates one wall of the room, a scene of the ocean splashing against the rocks. It's not there for long, sliding by command into a recess to reveal the prize of the room: Two large flat-screen TVs, one on top of the other. It is the perfect viewing space for football - college football, pro football, even high school football. "To understand him, you've got to go back to the roots, where he grew up in west Texas, in Abilene, Texas,'' says his agent, ..."

Kotchman senior loves John Lackey

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December 18

Boston Herald

"Roger Clemens remains, by far, the greatest pitcher Tom Kotchman has managed during 30-plus years in the minor leagues. Kotchman had Clemens in Winter Haven, Fla., for his 1983 pro debut and watched him strike out 36 batters in 29 innings without a walk. When management told him Clemens had been promoted, he remembers thinking, "To where? Boston?" Kotchman figured he'd never manage a competitor like Clemens again, and for nearly 20 years, he was right. Then he met John Lackey. Bigger than Clemens and a Texan just the same, Lackey arrived at short-season Boise in 1999 as the Angels' top draft pick, 68th overall. He made an immediate impact on his manager, who is the father of Red Sox first ..."

Lackey has team convinced he'll succeed at Fenway

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December 17

Boston Globe

"When John Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, spoke with Theo Epstein at the general managers' meetings in Chicago in November, he was met with a bit of doubt. As Hilliard put it yesterday, "I could tell he was very skeptical at first.'' It was the product of years of watching the emotional reactions of Lackey in his (often unsuccessful) outings at Fenway Park, both in the regular season and postseason. "It was more just a gut feeling that we had based on facing him, and watching him pitch here, and maybe putting a little too much emotional weight on those tough outings he had earlier in his career, when he was seen [swearing in] the ballpark, into his glove,'' Epstein said yesterday after ..."

Theo Epstein says Josh Beckett likes John Lackey deal

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December 17

Boston Herald

"Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein did not want Josh Beckett to get the wrong idea. He did not want a prized starter entering the final year of his contract to be influenced by any swirling theories about what the John Lackey five-year deal might mean for Beckett's own future with the Sox. So he texted Beckett some advice. "I just told him some might speculate that this means the end for you in Boston," said Epstein after the Lackey press conference at Fenway Park yesterday. "I said, 'Don't listen to them. You're a huge part of what we've had going on here and we'd love it if it worked out that you were a huge part of our future as well. The most important thing is we've got one heck of ..."

Just the beginning: Bigger deals on horizon

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December 17

Boston Herald

columnist Michael Silverman

"The Red Sox had a big day yesterday, snagging John Lackey and Mike Cameron for a mere $98 million, and they aren't done. More big days are ahead. They might not happen until July of next year, or even later, but the pitching- and defense-oriented moves the Sox have made so far this offseason merely are part of a makeover still very much in progress for 2010 and 2011. A big hitter, one who ideally can play first or third base or left field, still is on the to-do list. By adding Lackey, Cameron, Jeremy Hermida and Marco Scutaro, the Red Sox can remain in the hunt for free agents Matt Holliday and Adrian Beltre - players identified as ideal solutions for left field and third base - for as ..."

Adding bat would put Red Sox on top

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December 17

Boston Herald

columnist Steve Buckley

"The Red Sox held a press conference at 11:30 yesterday morning to introduce outfielder Mike Cameron. At 1:30 p.m., they held a press conference to introduce pitcher John Lackey. Alas, there was no 3:30 p.m. press conference to introduce first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. And Gonzalez or no Gonzalez, the Red Sox did make some significant improvements with their side-by-side announcements that Cameron and Lackey have agreed to come to Boston. Lackey is the big pickup - a tough, veteran right-hander who won some big games with the Angels. Adding him to the rotation gives the Sox one of the best starting fives in baseball. "I was always interested in coming here," Lackey said. "Winning was ..."

Red Sox finalize five-year deal with Lackey

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December 17

Foxsports.com

"Free-agent right-hander John Lackey finalized his deal with the Red Sox on Wednesday. The terms are five years, $82.5 million, exactly the same as A.J. Burnett got from the New York Yankees. The Red Sox generally do not like to award five-year contracts, which is one of the sticking points in their negotiations with free-agent left fielder Jason Bay. Evidently, Boston was willing to make an exception for the top pitcher on this offseason's free-agent market The signing of Lackey represents the Red Sox's second major move of the offseason; the team earlier signed free-agent shortstop Marco Scutaro to a two-year, $12 million contract. On Wednesday, the Red Sox also finalized their deal ..."

Angels could find out Lackey's real value

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December 15

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"Back when Septembers meant nothing in Anaheim, and when Angels wore periwinkle pajamas, Tom Kotchman showed up at the ballpark. Kotchman is the first pro manager most Angels kids ever have. He had just finished winning his Rookie League again. This was 1999, and he was asked about the Angels' top draft pick that year, a second-round pitching convert from a Texas JC. "Oh, John Lackey's gonna be a good one," Kotchman said. "When you go to the mound to get him, you gotta fight him." We've seen those fights, read those lips, watched Lackey gyrate like a shot movie cowboy when one of his fielders fails him. We've seen that open-mouthed snarl, asked him questions right after losses when his ..."

Angels about to lose out on John Lackey and Roy Halladay

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December 15

Los Angeles Times

"Torii Hunter was unaware of the reports that free-agent pitcher John Lackey was on the verge of signing a five-year deal with the Boston Red Sox when a reporter phoned him Monday morning. "Oh man," the Angels center fielder said. "That's not good." But, Hunter pointed out, at least the Angels were still in the hunt for Toronto ace Roy Halladay, "and if we get Halladay, it would be awesome," he said. A few hours later, the Blue Jays reportedly agreed to a blockbuster three-team deal that would send Halladay to Philadelphia. The Phillies, in turn, would send ace left-hander Cliff Lee to Seattle. So, not only were the Angels about to lose their top two winter targets, Lackey and Halladay, but ..."

Angels take a hit if John Lackey leaves

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December 15

Boston Herald

"Back when Septembers meant nothing in Anaheim, and when Angels wore periwinkle pajamas, Tom Kotchman showed up at the ballpark. Kotchman is the first pro manager most Angels kids ever have. He had just finished winning his Rookie League again. This was 1999, and he was asked about the Angels' top draft pick that year, a second-round pitching convert from a Texas JC. "Oh, John Lackey's gonna be a good one," Kotchman said. "When you go to the mound to get him, you gotta fight him." We've seen those fights, read those lips, watched Lackey gyrate like a shot movie cowboy when one of his fielders fails him. We've seen that open-mouthed snarl, asked him questions right after losses when his ..."

Red Sox construct big deals

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December 15

Boston Herald

"Remember all that stuff about the bridge to nowhere? Looks like it leads somewhere after all. Leaving no doubt they will contend in 2010 and beyond, the Red Sox yesterday made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason by reaching a tentative agreement with free agent right-hander John Lackey on a five-year contract, according to multiple published reports. The deal, which could pay Lackey as much as $85 million according to SI.com, dispels the notion that the Sox plan to sit on their wallets in surrender this offseason. Noted a rival executive: "The Red Sox just got a lot better." The deal immediately gives the Sox the best rotation in the American League, if not the game. Lackey joins ..."

Cameron, Lackey part of a new plan in Boston

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December 15

Boston Globe

"Just confirmed that Mike Cameron received two years and $15.5 million and will be in Boston Tuesday for a physical. It's interesting to watch the Red Sox change on the fly from a poor defensive team reliant on offense to a team more attuned to preventing runs via pitching and defense. A rotation headlined by Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey is essentially a trio of aces with Daisuke Matsuzaka a solid No. 4 assuming he shows up prepared. You can make the argument that they can now trade Clay Buchholz for a bat, but I personally believe they would be smarter to keep him and maintain the strength and depth of the rotation."

Source: Lackey has BoSox physical; deal close?

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December 14

Foxsports.com

columnist Ken Rosenthal

"Free-agent right-hander John Lackey underwent a physical Monday with the Red Sox, an indication that he is close to an agreement with the team, according to a major-league source. The deal is expected to be similar to the five-year, $82.5 million contract that the Yankees awarded free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett last winter. The Red Sox generally do not like to award five-year contracts, which is one of the sticking points in their negotiations with free-agent left fielder Jason Bay. It is not known whether they would guarantee Lackey five years, or award him a three- or four-year deal with options. The signing of Lackey would represent the Red Sox's second major move of the offseason; ..."

Big Three free agents still on the market

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December 11

Chicago Tribune

"Baseball's winter meetings concluded Thursday with none of the top three free agents -- outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay and pitcher John Lackey -- finding new teams. That means the Hot Stove League still has plenty of kindling left, even though neither cash-strapped Chicago team has any logs left to throw on the fire. Holliday and Bay are linked because they both are left fielders, and many of the same teams want one or the other. For instance, if Bay leaves Boston, the Red Sox may go after Holliday, who has super-agent Scott Boras in charge. And Boras is notoriously slow with his top free agents, preferring to "create" more of a market by waiting. So the Cardinals are left ..."

Yanks still eyeing Halladay and Lackey

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December 9

SI.com

"Even after signing Andy Pettitte today, the Yankees remain interested in acquiring either Roy Halladay or John Lackey, and GM Brian Cashman was scheduled to meet with Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, today. The Jays are requesting from the Yankees Jesus Montero plus either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain plus others, SI.com has learned. The Yankees won't do that, but they'll keep talking."

Free-agent pitcher John Lackey a target for New York Mets

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December 9

New York Daily News

"Mets officials expressed confidence Bengie Molina would sign with the club, while insisting Tuesday they had a realistic shot at landing John Lackey, too. The Mets intend to first focus on their starting pitching and catching voids, then tailor their left-field plan based on how much they spend on the first two categories. If the Mets can land Lackey rather than a second-tier starter from the group that includes Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, Doug Davis and Jon Garland, they would spend modestly on left field. If the starter comes from the latter group, at least considering Matt Holliday or Jason Bay becomes more realistic. The years being demanded by the middle-tier pitchers - Randy Wolf ..."

Jackson just the start of pitching deals

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December 8

Foxsports.com

"Edwin Jackson will not be the last starting pitcher traded. The Blue Jays are working three- and four-team scenarios involving Roy Halladay. The Braves are aggressively shopping Derek Lowe. The Rangers are actively discussing right-hander Kevin Millwood. Other available starting pitchers include the Reds' Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, the Royals' Gil Meche, the Rangers' Brandon McCarthy and — only for the right price — the Pirates' Zach Duke and Paul Maholm. For a team such as the Angels, facing the potential loss of free-agent right-hander John Lackey, the options are plentiful. If the Jays' price for Halladay is too high, they can always turn to Lowe. The Orioles, pursuing Millwood, ..."

Mike Pelfrey's in question, Mets need to hunt for No. 2 pitcher like Angels' John Lackey

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December 8

New York Daily News

columnist John Harper

"It was no surprise that one of the first significant rumors to sweep through the hotel lobby at the winter meetings Monday had the Mets on the verge of completing a trade for the Tigers' Edwin Jackson. For while the rumor was shot down by denials on both sides, nobody could really answer the question it raised: Who exactly is the Mets' No.2 starter? The question is especially troubling because Mike Pelfrey took a major step backward last season, to the point where baseball people are whispering about him as a head case. All of which means the Mets are kidding themselves if they think they can contend in 2010 without someone to ride shotgun for Johan Santana at the top of the rotation, ..."

Will the Angels get greedy?

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December 6

Los Angeles Times

"John Lackey is out there. So is Roy Halladay. The Angels could use either one. "Or do both," Torii Hunter said. We laughed. He was not kidding. "I want to do both," he said. "Why not be greedy and do both?" We hadn't really thought about that, any more than we had thought about the Angels signing Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Too expensive, too implausible, too fanciful. Yet, for a pitching-first team desperate to return to the World Series, Hunter might have stumbled onto an intriguing solution: Beat the New York Yankees at your game, not theirs. The Angels set a franchise record for runs last year. The Yankees still scored more runs than the Angels did, with more power at almost every ..."

Halladay and John Lackey are on team's radar

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December 5

New York Daily News

"After finishing their budget meetings in Tampa Friday, the Yankees are ready to dive into both the trade and free-agent markets and their priority is pitching, according to one insider. With that in mind, the Yankees will "see what's there" in the Roy Halladay trade sweepstakes, the person said, and likely will be engaged in talks on the Toronto ace. The Yanks also hope to resolve Andy Pettitte's status as soon as possible and they will look at John Lackey, the top free agent starter, the person said. All of the Yankees' own primary free agents - Pettitte, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui - are "in the game," as well, the person added. Less likely are bids for slugging outfielders Matt ..."

For Angels, Bay, Lackey and Figgins are all in play

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November 20

Los Angeles Times

"Matt Holliday is not coming. Jason Bay might be coming. John Lackey and Chone Figgins are not coming back -- not together, anyway. Those were the highlights of the state of the Angels address delivered by owner Arte Moreno on Thursday, after baseball's owners concluded their meetings here. The free-agent shopping season opens today, with owners citing an uncertain economic forecast in suggesting players might linger on the market well into the winter. Yet Moreno left one thing absolutely certain: The Angels have no interest in outfielder Matt Holliday, perhaps the best position player available in free agency. "He is not going to be an Angel," Moreno said. "We are not looking at Holliday ..."

Dodgers won't be pursuing John Lackey

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November 19

Los Angeles 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. As baseball's owners concluded their quarterly meetings here today, amid predictions from other National League executives that the Dodgers could lower their payroll substantially, Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said General Manager Ned Colletti has not been ordered to trade one of the team's eight arbitration-eligible players to save money. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who has not spoken publicly since his divorce proceedings started last month, declined an interview request. McCourt's estranged wife, Jamie, has asked a court to rule that she ..."

Angels focused on own free agents

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November 19

MLB.com

"The waiting game continues for the three-time reigning American League West champion Angels. With six players eligible for bids when free agency's doors swing open at 9:01 p.m. PT on Thursday night, the Angels have much to resolve before forging on with the shaping of their 2010 roster. Ace John Lackey, offensive catalyst Chone Figgins and cleanup man Vladimir Guerrero all are ready to start fielding offers along with bullpen glue Darren Oliver, versatile Robb Quinlan and comeback-minded Kelvim Escobar. "I don't think anything's changed from our perspective," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who is in constant contact with general manager Tony Reagins. "Those guys are all priorities for ..."

Holliday, Bay, Lackey top Mets' shopping list

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November 19

New York Post

"The Mets have talked a good game about spending money and retooling this offseason. Now it's time to back it all up. With free agency at hand starting at 12:01 tomorrow morning, all eyes will be on the Wilpons and general manager Omar Minaya to see if they follow through on their public vow to be major players in the market this winter. Coming off this year's 70-92 disaster, the Mets have a pressing need for more power and openings that include a left fielder, a No. 2 starter, a veteran catcher, a platoon first baseman and a setup man for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez. The Mets have identified Matt Holliday and Jason Bay as top candidates to fill the power void in left, John Lackey ..."

Nationals interested in John Lackey

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November 18

MLB.com

"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 Lannan, Ross Detwiler and Stephen Strasburg. Washington has been looking for this type of pitcher since after the Trade Deadine. It ended up signing right-hander Livan Hernandez in late August. While he did a god job for the Nationals, it's less than 50-50 that he will return to the club. Lackey, who is 31-years old, has played his entire eight-year career with the Angels. He ..."

No lack of interest in Angels pitcher

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November 15

MLB.com

"All eyes were on John Lackey as a 23-year-old rookie when he won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, and all eyes are on him seven years later now that he's finally a free agent. The big Angels right-hander is in the enviable position of being the top name in the pitching category of the Hot Stove season, and already the clubs are lining up to have a word with his agent, Steve Hilliard. As a busy Friday turned into a relatively quiet Saturday, Hilliard and Lackey could take a weekend to reflect on the interest that's already white-hot even before the Angels lose exclusive negotiating rights next Friday a minute after midnight. The Red Sox, Mets and Brewers have already had discussions with ..."

Sox doing their due diligence on Lackey

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November 14

Boston Globe

"The Red Sox also spoke to CC Sabathia and had a meeting with A.J. Burnett's agents last winter, but it was more a case of Theo Epstein doing his due diligence on the free agent front. A major league source confirmed that Epstein did the same on free-agent righty John Lackey in Chicago during the General Manager's Meetings. The Red Sox do have a need for a starting pitcher. They were after Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay at the trading deadline, therefore it would reason that they would have interest in Lackey and would surely get involved with Hernandez if Seattle can't work out a long-term deal with the best young pitcher in the game. Halladay is also available to them in a ..."

Red Sox eye John Lackey

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November 14

Boston Herald

"Six weeks ago, John Lackey hastened the Red Sox along the short road to winter vacation with a dominating victory in Game 1 of the AL Division Series for the Los Angeles Angels. Now, he may be one of their first targets in free agency. According to a major league source, the Sox met with the right-hander's agent at the GM meetings earlier this week in Chicago. The Sox expressed preliminary interest in the consensus top starter on the market. Although the club currently has its entire rotation under contract - Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield - last season proved there's no such thing as too much pitching. The Red Sox burned through 11 starters ..."

Joining the arms race

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November 12

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"As badly as the Milwaukee Brewers could use a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, it's unlikely they will be able to get into serious bidding for right-hander John Lackey, the top starter on the free-agent market. "It depends what they're asking for," said the Brewers' Doug Melvin, who headed home Wednesday after the annual general managers meetings wrapped up at the O'Hare Hilton. "I don't know if it could fit or not. I might have to make some other moves to make it fit." Lackey, who went 11-8 with a 3.83 earned run average in 27 starts for the Los Angeles Angels, is expected to seek a contract similar to the five-year, $82.5 million deal the New York Yankees gave free-agent right-hander A.J. ..."

Minaya going after, well, everybody

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"The Mets plan to pursue virtually every big name on the free-agent and trade markets, from Roy Halladay and John Lackey to Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Agents and rival executives, however, are skeptical that the Mets actually will land any of those players, believing that the team ultimately will settle for second-tier talent. Mets general manager Omar Minaya loves to play at the top of the market. And the Mets, coming off a 92-loss season, are not about to tell their fans that they will aim low. Still, the Mets' needs are significant enough that one or two major additions might not put the team in contention. Minaya says he wants to add at least one starting pitcher. The Mets also need ..."

Angels still in hunt to re-sign Lackey

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November 11

Foxsports.com

columnist Ken Rosenthal

"Don't rule the Angels out of the John Lackey sweepstakes just yet. The Angels remain interested in re-signing their free-agent right-hander, according to major-league sources. Plan B, if Lackey signs with another club, could be a renewed effort to trade for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay. Either way, securing a top-of-the-rotation starter appears to be a priority for the Angels, who recognize that Lackey is drawing early interest from the Yankees, the team that beat them in the American League Championship Series. The loss of Lackey and inability to replace him would leave the Angels with a rotation headed by right-handers Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana and left-handers Joe Saunders ..."

Mets must make splash with free agents Matt Holliday and John Lackey

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November 11

New York Daily News

columnist John Harper

"It was a little more than a month ago that Jeff Wilpon told everyone how committed Mets ownership is to rectifying a disastrous season by putting a "championship-caliber" ballclub back on the field as quickly as possible. But is he willing to spend what it takes to back up that kind of talk? There doesn't seem to be any other way to make it happen quickly. For that matter, considering the Yankees and Phillies proved to be the two best teams in baseball in 2009, the Mets need to spend big just to make themselves relevant again. Even if all their injured players come back healthy next season, the Mets aren't even a lock to finish third in the NL East, ahead of the on-the-rise Braves and ..."

Yankees won't lack for Lackey, Mets hesitant

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November 10

SI.com

"The Yankees are expected to make a play for top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, as was reported here on Monday, and there are indications that they are considering something in "the range of A.J. Burnett,'' which means $82.5 million over five years. Lackey is better than Burnett in many ways. But, considering a diminishing appetite for big contracts among other teams, one competing GM opined, "If the Yankees do that, they'll get him.'' Beyond Lackey plus outfielders Matt Holliday and Bay, the market is one of the weaker ones in years. Some very needy teams (i.e. the Mets) are generally unenthused about the market, especially from a starting pitching standpoint. "Some years are better than ..."

Brewers unlikely to land Lackey

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November 10

Foxsports.com

"The Brewers badly need starting pitching. They bid $100 million for left-hander CC Sabathia last winter. But they do not expect to be a serious player for righty John Lackey, the top free agent available this offseason. Lackey, Brewers officials believe, would prefer to go to a larger market. The Brewers almost certainly would not make the best offer, and Lackey might only use their proposal to persuade other clubs to bid higher. The Brewers' most pressing decision involves whether to exercise the $6.5 million option on right-hander Braden Looper or pay him a $1 million buyout. They are likely to pursue mid-rotation starters such as left-handers Doug Davis and Jarrod Washburn."

Brian Cashman begins planning for 2010, could eye Angels' John Lackey

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November 10

Los Angeles Times

"The Yankees may still be celebrating their World Series title, but for Brian Cashman, the time to rejoice is over. Cashman went back to work Monday, arriving at the general manager meetings to begin assembling a roster that will try to repeat as champions in 2010. After he broke the bank last winter to sign CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, will the Yankees' World Series title ease the pressure on Cashman to make another big splash in the coming weeks? "I don't think it changes anything," Cashman said of the championship. "It's over. This is all about 2010 now." One focus for 2010 could be John Lackey. The righthander is the one player the Yankees are intrigued by, according ..."

Angels facing roster dilemma

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October 27

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"Last year, Mark Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and Garret Anderson were in the Angels' graduating class of sixth-year seniors. They were the free agents who left and probably were taking the Angels' AL West title with them. The Angels went to spring training anyway, and went a step further in the playoffs than they did in 2008 and, probably, wound up a better team. It's not a half-empty, half-full thing. It's the hole-in-the-water theory. Eventually, it gets filled. This year the class is bigger and more substantial. The hole is deeper, too, and there's a water shortage. The possible free agents are John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Darren Oliver. Those are vital ..."

Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list

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October 26

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."

Rain could precipitate Game 7 start for Angels' John Lackey

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October 25

Los Angeles Times

"The heavens blessed the Angels. The rain won at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, but so did the visiting team. If the Angels get to Game 7 on Monday, following two days off and Game 6 tonight, they could have several attractive choices for their starting pitcher. "Are you . . . me?" John Lackey said. "This is mine." Lackey said that Thursday, as Mike Scioscia pulled him from Game 5 with a shutout intact. Lackey did not say that Saturday, but he did not have to. If the Angels get to Game 7, it's his. All we heard before the series was how the mighty New York Yankees could vanquish the Angels by using CC Sabathia three times. The Angels have the extra day in their favor now, and they're just as ..."

ALCS delay could play into Angels' hands -- specifically, Lackey's

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October 25

L.A. Daily News

"For once, the Angels could reap benefits from inclement weather. A steady rain that caused large puddles to form all along Yankee Stadium's warning track postponed Saturday's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series until 5:20 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time today. The Angels are down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, but if they win today and force a Game 7, ace John Lackey will almost certainly earn the start on three days rest. CC Sabathia already is scheduled to pitch for the third time in the series, and Sabathia has baffled the Angels twice in winning Games 1 and 4. "Obviously, I want to be in games as often as I can be," Lackey said. A Game 7 pitting the aces against one another ..."

Scioscia: Lackey likely in a Game 7

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October 24

New York Post

"The chances for rain and thunder at game time tonight are 90 percent. Should Game 6 be postponed until Sunday night and the Angels then win it, the forecast for John Lackey starting game 7 Monday night on three days' rest is somewhere between 90 and 100 percent. Asked yesterday if Lackey would be used on three days' rest, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he would. "If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it's something we would certainly consider," Scioscia said. "We have talked about a lot of different scenarios. I think we're gong to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes." Unfolded were Scioscia's Angels in Game 5, rallying from a ..."

John Lackey tries to keep Los Angeles Angels alive in ALCS

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October 22

New York Daily News

"John Lackey is the Angels' big game pitcher. And the Angels couldn't have a bigger game than this one. The Halos stand on the brink of elimination inÂ Thursday night'sÂ Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees. The biggest moment of Lackey's career also came in an elimination game, when he was tabbed to start Game 7 of the 2002 World Series against the Giants - which he won with five solid innings. "Then I was, what? I was 22. I was just trying to help out the older guys and not mess it up, you know?" he said. "Now I'm kind of one of those older guys that needs to step up and needs to help lead this team to another game. It's definitely a different feeling for sure." The ..."

Tonight's start big for Lackey

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October 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Forget the money. John Lackey already is a lot richer than most people you know. Before next spring, he'll be a lot richer than even more people you know. That is not the issue tonight. The issue tonight is the definition of an Ace, or a One, or whatever you call a dominant starting pitcher in the playoffs. This is the year CC Sabathia, of the Yankees, has become that guy. And this was the spring in which Lackey, frustrated that the Angels seemed oblivious to his upcoming free-agent eligibility, declared himself comparable to Sabathia. "Except for his time in the National League, look at the numbers," Lackey said of Sabathia, who had just signed a contract that will pay him at least $60 ..."

Angels call on Lackey to start Game 5

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October 22

Washington Times

"Down to their last gasp in the American League Championship Series, there's no one the Los Angeles Angels would rather entrust their playoff lives to than John Lackey. The veteran right-hander will get the ball for a do-or-die Game 5 against the New York Yankees on Thursday night, on the eve of his 31st birthday, hoping to duplicate past heroics and force this series back to the East Coast. "He's our ace for a reason," third baseman Chone Figgins said. "If we're going to go down, at least we've got him on the mound to go down with." As a 24-year-old rookie in 2002, he went 2-0 in the postseason and won Game 7 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants with five innings of one-run ..."

Lackey's future with Angels in question

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October 22

L.A. Daily News

"There is no doubt John Lackey will take the mound for the Angels tonight in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Doubt remains, though, on whether or not Lackey will ever start for the Angels again. If the Angels can't pull off the improbable and rally from a 3-1 deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the ALCS, Lackey becomes a free agent. With a weak free-agent class for pitchers, he is certain to demand the type of top dollar that might not fit into the Angels' budget. Has he put any thought into the idea that tonight's game might be his last in Angels red? "That's not really up to me," he said with a laugh. "I'm trying to do my best to just stay in the moment and help ..."

Angels' ace no Lackey on mound

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October 16

New York Post

"Neither rain nor cold nor doom portended by a loaded Yankees lineup will stay John Lackey from an appointed, round, minimum $100 million this winter. Even in an economy that has tanked far worse than the Angels ace ever will in 100 million years. "I'm not going to get intimidated by anybody," said Lackey, CC Sabathia's opponent in Game 1 tonight, when asked if it's hard not to be threatened by a team this deep. "That's why I'm throwing [tonight]." A man of few words, who has made short work of postseason lineups with the best pitchers of this generation, left it to Mike Scioscia to explain how. "He's pitched big games wherever they show up, in the pennant race or playoffs," said the ..."