Lackey to the Sox

From Foe to Friend? Lackey is reportedly on his way to Boston.

UPDATE 3:11 PM-- It's official. John Lackey to the Sox at 5 years and $85 million.


According to a report by Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, free agent pitcher John Lackey is to soon take a physical with the Red Sox, an indication that he may be close to signing a deal with the team. The 31-year old Lackey is coming off a season where he posted a 3.83 ERA ( career 3.81) with a 1.27 WHIP in 27 starts. In 176 1/3 innings, he struck out 139 while walking 47. More impressive were his postseason stats where he yielded just five earned runs in 19 2/3 innings over three starts.

FOXSports' Ken Rosenthal says the deal could be similar to A.J. Burnett's pact (5 years, $82.5 million) with the Yankees. It doesn't quite make sense that the Sox would ink Lackey for five years but refuse to offer the same amount of time to Jason Bay, leading some to speculate that a potential deal with the big righty could include option years. Signing Lackey would effectively take the team out of the Roy Halladay race, but they would not have to surrender any prospects and would be looking at incredible pitching depth this year and beyond. Still needing a bat, does this open the door for the Sox to dangle Clay Buchholz in a deal for Adrian Gonzalez?

Lackey would slide into the rotation behind Lester and Beckett and would present an unbelievable three-headed monster at the top of the rotation for the Sox. Sure, Lackey will have to improve on his 5.25 ERA in 14 career starts at Fenway, but if the Sox front office feels that he's a good fit for the team and one of the top 15 starters in baseball. He beats the Brad Penny signings of the world and it's nice to see the team go out and grab a proven starter instead of a risk/reward guy.

MORE:

• Mike Lowell is not headed to Texas just yet. Concerns about his injured thumb have led to the trade being put on hold and although nothing is final yet, Lowell's thumb appears to be the major hurdle in the deal. Lowell will take a physical for the Rangers this week and if he checks out the trade will then be official.
  
• With Josh Beckett's contract ready to mature after the year, the Sox are looking to lock up their top of the rotation starter this off-season.
• The Sox will watch lefty Aroldis Chapman throw tomorrow in Houston, and it is reported that they have already offered him a major league deal worth $15.5 million over four years.
  
• Boof Bonser signed a one-year $650,000 non-guaranteed contract with the Red Sox after coming over from the Twins earlier this week. The Sox will send Double-A reliever Chris Province to Minnesota. Bonser missed all of last season with shoulder troubles and has an iffy major league track record, but will reportedly try and hang on as a reliever out of spring training.
  
• 1B Casey Kotchman was tendered a contract by the Red Sox and the two sides will try and work out a deal in order to avoid arbitration. While Kotchman's role on the club is unclear, the team will look to be creative to find him some at bats. OF Brian Anderson, who the Sox acquired in August for Mark Kotsay, was not tendered a contract.
• Under the radar last week was the news that the Red Sox have resigned RHP Fernando Cabrera to a minor league deal. Cabrera had a 1.71 ERA 52 2/3 innings in Pawtucket last year. The 28 year old was not added to the 40-man roster last week but will be back and provide great depth in the organization.