Lovin' Lackey
By Jon LaneThe rich getting richer? It's always a possibility. Cry all you want about big-market teams having a competitive advantage that enables them to sign anybody they want, but the last I looked, no rules have ever been broken.
Also, ask the Florida Marlins how they won it all in 2003 - by defeating the rich and mighty Yankees - on an annual shoestring budget. And ask Brian Cashman why spending all that money from 2002-2008 didn't work and why it did work in 2009. It's never about how much money you have. And while you're at it, place a call to Dan Snyder to inquire how his idea of turning the Washington Redskins into a fantasy team has gone over year after year.
There's a major difference between getting the best players and the right players. It certainly worked for Herb Brooks in 1980.
John Lackey as a Yankee is a rich proposition. A pipe dream, one that a National League assistant general manager told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, "If the Yankees were able to lock Lackey into a rotation with [CC] Sabathia and [A.J.] Burnett, it could be the start of another dynasty." That's because not only is Lackey a great player, he'd be the right player, just like Sabathia, Burnett and Mark Teixeira.
Here's the lowdown on the Big Texan:
• One of only six pitchers to win at least 11 games in each year from 2004-09 (Sabathia, Derek Lowe, Johan Santana, Javier Vazquez and Jason Marquis).
• Went 7-4 with a 3.05 ERA in the second half to help the Angels win the AL West.
• The Big Texan has a big heart. He was angry at Mike Scioscia for his removal from Game 5 of the 2009 ALCS and was ready to pitch Game 7 on three days' rest. The first time he did that was when he won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series - as a rookie. Like Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, Lackey can be trusted in a big game in my opinion.
The Angels own exclusive negotiating rights with Lackey until Nov. 20 when the 15-day period of exclusivity expires and the free-agent market is open to bidding. SI.com reported a potential Yankees offer similar to Burnett's five-year, $82.5 million deal, but also cited sources as saying Lackey may seek a richer pact. How far the Yankees will go is unclear, but this is how their 2010 rotation would line up entering Spring Training:
Sabathia
Burnett
Lackey
Pettitte (assuming he re-signs)
Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain
Whether Hughes or Chamberlain ends up in the bullpen, and the future of Chien-Ming Wang, would be for another day. If the Yankees have a legit shot at Lackey, they'll take it. No rules would be broken.
This one is a no-brainer. I'd also sign Jason Bay and see if he can be convinced to play where DiMaggio and Mantle once played. Do that and Damon can come back for 2 more years and Matsui as well - while we wait for Austin Jackson to polish off his skills.
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I disagree. Joba and Hughes are supposed to be your rising young talents in the rotation, so pitch them!
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In my estimation, if the Yankees were to sign John Lackey (which would be fantastic for me), I think the rotation would look something like this:
1) Sabathia
2) Lackey
3) Burnett
4) Pettitte
5) Hughes / Kennedy / Wang
Given that rotation, I would actually have Wang and Kennedy fight for the 5th spot and let Hughes set up Mo again. It's pretty evident to the world that Joba is a reliever...and a damn good one.
Assuming we don't get Lackey (which is probably the case), as long as we can get Pettitte for one more year, we should be fine. If we don't get Lackey AND Pettitte, I would be concerned.
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In my estimation, if the Yankees were to sign John Lackey (which would be fantastic for me), I think the rotation would look something like this:
1) Sabathia
2) Lackey
3) Burnett
4) Pettitte
5) Hughes / Kennedy / Wang
Given that rotation, I would actually have Wang and Kennedy fight for the 5th spot and let Hughes set up Mo again. It's pretty evident to the world that Joba is a reliever...and a damn good one.
Assuming we don't get Lackey (which is probably the case), as long as we can get Pettitte for one more year, we should be fine. If we don't get Lackey AND Pettitte, I would be concerned.
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i wont be surprised if we dont go for lackey, we have to many important peices to sign b4 him. including mariano rivera
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