The Orioles organization suffered a major loss today, as PR director Monica Pence Barlow passed away at just 36 years of age after a long battle with cancer. As this morning's outpouring reveals, Barlow was an inspiration to those who knew her. Among the many writers impacted by the loss was MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko, who offers a tribute: "Whenever someone would ask, 'Why you?,' Monica would reply, 'Why not?' Pretty much says it all, doesn't it?"
As MLBTR joins in offering its condolences, here are some notes from around the American League East:
- Sam and Seth Levinson, the agents for Jon Lester and several other Red Sox players, have arrived in Fort Myers, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. It is not yet known whether they will engage in talks with GM Ben Cherington regarding a new deal for Lester, but Cherington has made clear that he would to keep negotiations to the spring.
- Fellow Sox starter John Lackey says he is not worried about the fact that he'll be subject to a league-minimum club option net year, writes Bradford. "It's different," said Lackey. "There will be some things I will have to think about, for sure." But he says he isn't worried about that now. "I haven't even gotten to that point of thinking that far ahead," Lackey said. "We'll play this year out and see what happens. I'm not worried about the money. I've made plenty of that."
- Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus is entering his walk year, but he says he'll join Lackey in focusing on the present, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. "I haven't thought about it at all," said Rasmus. "For me, it's all about right now, and next year don't matter." After a turnaround 2013 season that restored some of his earlier luster, the 27-year-old Rasmus could play his way into (or out of) a big contract.
Lackey could be an awesome trade candidate if the Sox aren’t doing well this year. That cheap option means any team could trade for him!
I wouldn’t be surprised if he retired after the year.
He made his money, as the story states, but i doubt he retires if he does close to as well as he pitched last year.
Just like he was determined to do well last year. That guy is driven. you can see that when he’s on the mound. This is NOT a take the money and shut it down guy like a few other FA’s the last couple of years have obviously been. He’s a top performer, that goes out there and does his best, even when he has no business being on the mound his elbow was so torn up.
I see him several more years, or until a serious injury happens again (forbid) and should be fine for at least 3-4 if he holds up. his velocity last year was at 2005 levels. 94-5 at start of games, it was unreal.
His nickname of “Bulldog” is fitting.
Call me cynical but I’m going to assume he was on the mound with a torn up elbow because he didn’t feel like working for free for a year.
“There will be some things I will have to think about, for sure.” sure doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence that he’s just going to work for free.
You really think he could have worked from 2011-2014.. 4 seasons with a 3/4 torn UCL, just to get out of that 500k season?
No but it sure looks like he tried
Also in the cynical boat. He sure had no problem not being worth two years salary and missing a third. He needs to honor the sixth year and pitch his best. He made a lot of fans forget his worst points last year. He should value his reputation at this point.
I sure hope the Jays extend Rasmus because at this point, Gose has a lot of work to do to get his bat at an MLB level. Even though they’d have to overpay he’d be easy to move in the event Gose is ready to take over. Although $ overpay + Blue Jays don’t mix.
Good answer by Lackey…
What things do you have to think about exactly, Lackey? Unless he’s talking about just up and retiring unless they rework the deal =
I could see an extension coming during the season and yes.. Boston holds the cards (not to mention leverage) in years and possibly how much it could be for.
BRef has Lackey at ~$65MM over 4 seasons with BOS, one of which was lost to injuries. He’s been worth ~2.7 bWAR in that time. He helped them win a WS title in his best season so I want to ask a silly question: has he been worth it?