SATURDAY, 10:19pm: DiGiovanna is thinking about five years, $80MM for a possible Lackey extension. Lackey wouldn’t reveal much about the status of the talks, in his quotes to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register.
FRIDAY, 8:43pm: According to Giovanna, Lackey is believed to be seeking a deal in the five-year, $75MM range.
FRIDAY, 4:35pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times says Angels GM Tony Reagins is meeting with Lackey’s agent Steve Hilliard today.
WEDNESDAY: Let’s recap what’s gone on with Angels starter John Lackey since the season ended.
- In October, Lackey confirmed that he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing. Later that month the Halos exercised his ’09 option.
- In January, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was unsure the Angels would be willing to offer Lackey A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM).
- The two sides had not had substantive contract talks as of February 18th, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. Lackey said "it’s kind of on them" and said that while he’s receptive to staying he values the right to check out free agency.
Today, MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer learned that extension talks are ongoing between the Angels and Lackey’s agent. Lackey noted that "the top guys still got theirs" on the free agent market. He knows he’d be the best available free agent starter after the season, but will allow extension discussions to continue until Opening Day.
