Some links to peruse before Yovani Gallardo locks up with Tim Lincecum later tonight…
- The Cubs will consider Bob Brenly for their vacant managerial post, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- David DeJesus is waiting to hear from the Royals about their decision on his $6MM option for next season according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. The club has until October 15th to exercise the option, and GM Dayton Moore said he's "not prepared to say what [they're] doing at this point."
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier says that John Lackey hasn't been worth the risk for the Red Sox yet, and he'll have to buck historical trends to be worth the remainder of his five-year, $82.5MM contract.
- Meanwhile, Jim Donaldson of The Providence Journal jokes that the Sox should be able to ask Lackey and Josh Beckett for refunds given how they've pitched after signing their new deals.
- There will be plenty of competition for a spot in the Cubs rotation next season, writes Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune.
- David Barron of The Houston Chronicle looks at how the Reds are thriving thanks to a mix of young players and veterans.
I still think John Lackey has a chance to come back next season and pitch well. Beckett on the other hand needs to stay healthy and hopefully for the Sox’s case, he will regain his old fom.
The Angels said bluntly that they wanted Lackey back very badly, but that the contract the Red Sox offered him was ludicrous and because of that was not matched.
Pretty much debunks the notion that the Cubs’ rotation is set for next season.
Beckett strugled his first year in Boston, so possible the same thing is going on with lackey. Terrible signings by the sox! I think theo was just worried bout losing Beckett. I hope he doesn’t do the same with beltre, v-mart, papi.
Epstein was looking at what was going to cost what would have been the premier (presumably) SP on the market in the 2011 season and thought the 4/68m extension was a good value, especially compared to what Lackey got and a few others of late like Zambrano, Zito etc.. Still early yet and Beckett is only 31, so hopefully Boston can get a couple of more fine seasons out of him still of Ace caliber at least yet.
Lackey was never a good investment. His numbers have been declining for a couple years. He doesn’t miss bats as much anymore, he’s a little more HR prone, and the walks are up. Not good trends. That contract is going to be an albatross for four years.
Bringing in Beltre was the best things the Sox did. It would be a shame if they failed to re-sign him on the off-season. He’s perfect for that stadium. You’d have to think V-Mart and Beltre will be back, but Papi is probably done.
That is to say, Papi is probably done with the Sox. Time to move on and get a little younger.
K9: 8.57, 7.86, 7.19, 7.16, 7.09, 7.34
BB9: 3.06, 2.98, 2.09, 2.20, 2.40, 3.15
H9: 9.0, 8.4, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 10.1
XFIP: 3.57, 4.06, 3.99, 3.88, 3.92, 4.47
So Lackey is striking out guys less, his walk rate is going back up, and he’s giving up more hits. That’s a bad combination. But hey atleast he’s a “bulldog”.
Playing in Boston automatically makes you gritty and gives you heart
The last number in the K9 row should be 6.34
Omar Minaya drops the ball again ! U mean he didnt go after Sheets…or Lackey…or Marquis !?!?!
Ortiz is the one no-brainer that the Sox should bring back. Unless they plan on signing Adam Dunn then what other DH can they get that will provide 30 hrs and 100 rbi for only a 1 year/12 mil commitment ? Add to it that he’s AL East/Boston battle tested and that makes him more valuable. Getting younger matters the least at DH. As long as he can still hit, and he has shown this year he can, then why not bring him back for 1 more year? He wouldn’t be blocking anyone either as Beltre, VMart and most of the other good hitters they may pursue are mainly position players. If they bring back Vmart he can still catch for the 2011 season and then be transitioned to DH in 2012 when you allow Ortiz to walk for good.
If he’s healthy how can KC not bring DeJesus back (by picking up the op)? Even if he’s not in the clubs long-term plans he’d get you something at the trade deadline that’s better than sandwich picks from protected clubs.
I’d rather see Brenly as GM, but I’ll take anything as long as Hendry is gone!
dang i didnt kno lackey was having such a bad season as much as boston media has been bashing him, every big game ive seen him pitch against my yanks hes held it down. Hey ill take wat he did this year then AJ, n with beckett ive noticed that with him it goes every other year, one year he’s dominant n in the cy young discussion n then the next hes awful, so ya boston fans dont beat up on that dude to much even tho i hate him lol. O n if i was the redsox i would deff bring back papi, 12 mill aint that much considering all the things he brings to the club via production n club house leadership
@BK Senior
I suppose. It is obviously a horrible contract in terms of money and years, but I still think Lackey will pitch maybe 3.50-3.75 ball next season at least with 200 IP and a respectable FIP. We’ll see.
What are you basing that prediction on?
@zack23
nothing. I just think that he is a good pitcher and certainly can bounce back and put up those numbers. What makes you think he won’t? the division?
After having the best record in baseball this past Aug. I am getting a bit worried about the Reds this month. This could end up being their worst month of the season record wise. Not something you wanna see just before the playoffs. Lucky for the Reds the Cardinals are playing almost as bad.
Absolutely. I like Lars Anderson at first, very soon. Don’t know if he will be starting 2011 with the big club, but he shouldn’t be far away.
I expect Lars to spend 2011 in AAA and get a september call up.
The Cubs need to not only consider Brenly but hire him as the Manager.. No one else is a more perfect fit for the Cubs next manager.. WS winning manager only 10 short yrs ago.. when he was with AZ he came from the booth.. i think it only took 2 yrs for him to win then they traded all his players away and some retired. Now if he’s hired as Cubs Manager he can bring in a real pitching coach.. anyone but Rothschild will do. He would have a really young team to work with so it might take 2 or 3 yrs to get to the top.. He would need to request they try to trade Ramirez and Soriano even if it means eating both players remaining contract.. they only need a first baseman this winter anyway.. The could get Jake Fox back and cheap too.