A fond farewell to you, Justin
July 30, 2014Browns sign Jim Leonhard
July 30, 2014Well it has been quite an eventful day in Wahooland. Earlier today, the Indiansdealt starting pitcher Justin Masterson to the St. Louis Cardinals for OF prospect James Ramsey. Meeting with the media just after the deal, both GM Chris Antonetti and Manager Terry Francona denied that this trade signaled a sell off for 2015. In fact, they are looking to add pieces in the next 24 hours.
“Anybody who stands next to me in the dugout knows that’s not going to happen,” said Francona when asked if the White Flag was being waved.
So what does this mean exactly? Well according to several media reports, the Indians are taking a long look at Boston starter John Lackey.
#Marlins on Lackey, per @jonmorosi. #Indians believed to be (Francona reunion?). Two teams that are not, per sources: #Angels #Brewers
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2014
There’s indeed some fire under the smoke with Lackey and Indians rumors. Cleveland has interest, though nothing is imminent right now.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 30, 2014
Lackey would make a lot of sense for an Indians team in dire need of a veteran rock for the rotation. he’s been solid this season (11-7, 3.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 109 ERA+, and 3.56 FIP). Masterson should have been that guy, but he essentially pitched his way out of town.
What makes the 35-year old Lackey intriguing to the Indians is his team option for 2015 at $500,000. Yes, you read that correctly. The Red Sox put a clause into his original five-year, $82.5 million deal that if he missed an entire season due to injury, it would kick in a $500,000 club option at the back end. He missed all of 2012 after needing Tommy John surgery, thus the amazingly cheap 2015 salary.
Stay tuned, the Indians are most likely not done. Asdrubal Cabrera could be next or they could add another piece as well.
10 Comments
Stop right there. You had me at $500k club option for 2015.
-Paul Dolan, Prez of Dolanz R Cheapoz
(I kid, I kid…somewhat)
we were after young, controllable pitching prospects. but, if we can take an old, reliable cheap pitcher, then why not? 🙂
We had a string going of the 35 year old flyers: Millwood, Bere, Elarton, Jason Johnson, etc. Seems like that ended after the Bret Myers debacle.
If we could land Lackey for a low level prospects, I’m all over that. He’s less of a flyer than past reclamation projects/re-treads.
well, Kazmir’s arm was worn more than a 35yo.
Lackey is what he is. A reliable SP3-4 pitcher. We happen to need one of those next season and $500K is a ridiculously cheap price to pay, which likely means the prospect fee will be much higher.
http://www.themusicninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Duck-Sauce-Charlie-Sheen-Spinstyles-Bi-Winning-Edit.jpg
Sox will take the prospect the Cardinals just sent you for Masternone.
Hmm… Can’t imagine Lackey is happily going to play for $500K, contract be damned. Guessing he has no real leverage, but that seems like a dangerous situation to put oneself in. Here’s where having Tito on board might play to our advantage?
He is certainly old enough that he can play the retirement card. But, with limited leverage, I think it actually could work out even better for whichever team he plays on.
So, he doesn’t want to play 1 year for $500K. Okay, how about we give you a 2-year contract for $12mil to replace it? Or, if that is not within MLB CBA rules, then a 1yr, $11.5mil extension on it.
Ok, $500k, Tito, AND some beer and chicken. That should make that good ol’ boy happy.
He’s said he’ll retire instead of play for 500k. I’m sure there’s some kind of deal in the range of $10-12M that’s amenable to both sides.