2010 Free Agent Preview: John Lackey

Posted on October 23rd, 2009 3:01 PM by Knuckles

Name: John Lackey
Age: 31
Position: RHP
Current Team: Los Angeles Angles
Current Contract: 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M

Performance: Undoubtedly, Lackey posted his best season in 2007 when he finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting and had his lone All-Star appearance. Lackey posted a 3.01 ERA that season along with a 1.21 WHIP and 179?K in 224 IP. Since then, Lackey's numbers haven't been quite as impressive (3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 269K in 339 IP), but he's still been a very solid pitcher in the American League.

Outlook: Lackey is unquestionably the best pitcher available on the free agent market this off-season. He is considered the cream of the free agent class along with Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. His numbers are comparable to that of the Yankees AJ Burnett, who signed for five years and $82.5M last off season. The Angels are certainly interested in keeping their ace right hander, but at $16.5M per season, they may not be able to when they may also need to pay the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins.

Suitors: Angels, Mets, Rangers, Braves, Phillies.

Prediction: The Mets need to make a splash after a frustrating season.