John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

XxCitronxX Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 28, 2008
	October 9, 2009 4:03 pm Score: 211
	A little tidbit from Jon Heyman at SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20 09/writers/jon_heyman/10/09/phillie s.pitching/1.html "The Angels aren't too confident they'll be able to retain John Lackey, who threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings in his Game 1 win and is on the cusp of free agency. One sign they aren't so confidence is the acquisition of Scott Kazmir, who makes a nice replacement. The Angels offered close to $60 million over four years. But word is, Lackey will seek at least the $82.5 million A.J. Burnett got. One scout said, "He's in a pretty good position as the best pitcher on the market." Burnett received $82.5M over 5 years this past offseason. If that's what he's looking for, is that something the Brewers could/should contemplate doing? Going along with the other thread I started today, if the Brewers were able to sign Lackey and trade Corey Hart (possibly in a package) for Kenshin Kawakami, would that be enough of an upgrade to be competitive next season? I'm not at all trying to count any chickens before they hatch...or before they're even laid for that matter, but I would consider a rotation of Yovani Gallardo, John Lackey, Kenshin Kawakami, Dave Bush and Manny Parra enough to combine with this offense to compete for the division. Lackey has been both durable and consistantly effective for the past 5 seasons. From '05 through '09, he has pitched a total of 990.1 innings (198 IP/season avg) with a 69-38 record and a 3.49 ERA. In my opinion, he's selling himself way short by only asking (if indeed this rumor is accurate) for A.J. Burnett money. Burnett's numbers over that same time span are as follows: 938.2 IP (187.2/season avg), 63-47 record, 3.85 ERA. Combine this with the basic assumption that AL pitchers typically fare quite better with a move to the NL and Lackey could be a very wise investment for the Brewers. Of course, there are a ton of variables that would go into something like this. Other intersted teams and their wallets, his willingness to leave LA for Milwaukee (doesn't sound all that appealing), etc. Again, not to say that there is any smoke/fire here, just pointing out possibilities that I could potentially see worth exploring. If by some chance the Brewers could get Lackey and Kawakami, DM would go from a zero to a hero in my book. If he could potentially add the two starters he's looking for without trading away Mat Gamel, that would be huge. Not to mention, neither of these upgrades include the inevitable J.J. Hardy trade. Can't wait for the offseason to get started!
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

ThaBadge Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Feb 19, 2007
	October 9, 2009 4:20 pm Score: 105
	The Mets are desparate for a quality starting pitcher to go along with Johan. They will likely exceed any offer we make. There are maybe 5 pitchers in baseball that I would suggest the Brewers offer that kind of money to for that many years. Lackey isn't one of them, even though he is probably worth it considering the going rate for starting pitching.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

XxCitronxX Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 28, 2008
	October 9, 2009 4:23 pm Score: 81
	Very true. The Mets' new ballpark also looks much more inticing to a FA pitcher than Miller Park does.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

brownsfan14 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 9, 2008
	October 11, 2009 9:54 am Score: 86
	If he's asking for ''AJ Burnett money'' then we can make a serious run at him. Of course some stupid New York team will blow our offer to him out of the water but it's worth a shot. Lackey and Gallardo would be beasty as heck next year
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

82Bernie Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Oct 11, 2007
	October 12, 2009 9:03 am Score: 86
	I think they could but I also think it would be a mistake. I think any top tier starter is going to have to come via trade and may be someone a little less established than Lackey.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

Marlow Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 9, 2007
	October 12, 2009 11:27 am Score: 132
	John Lackey hits the DL at least once a season, so...$80M+ for that dude is nuts. I think some big market team will take that gamble, and the Brewers will have to look elsewhere. Of course, with Rick Peterson looking like a shoo-in for the pitching coach vacancy, it begs the Mark Mulder question. I'd also suggest that the Brewers take a look at a guy like Carl Pavano on a 1 year deal if they can't get Erik Bedard or Rich Harden cheap enough (or their health is too much of a concern...I mean I know it always is, but can they pitch to start the year?).
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

XxCitronxX Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 28, 2008
	October 12, 2009 1:55 pm Score: 111
	I don't know that it's fair to say "hits the DL at least once a season". He had DL stints each of the last two seasons, neither of them all that long, but from 2003 to 2007 he made 33 starts each season. Besides, his 176 IP this season would have been good enough for 3rd most behind Braden Looper (194.2) and Yovani Gallardo (185.2). I'm not suggesting that the Brewers absolutely have to pay this guy what he's gonna ask but I don't think the injury reason is a good one in this case.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

Marlow Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 9, 2007
	October 12, 2009 3:54 pm Score: 92
	I'm much more concerned about a 32 year old pitcher who's been on the DL each of the last two seasons with arm injuries than a guy who was on the DL 5 straight years, but not since 2004. He'll be overpaid because he's the best pitcher in a terrible FA market.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

XxCitronxX Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 28, 2008
	October 12, 2009 5:48 pm Score: 106
	Agreed. I wasn't implying that there wasn't a concern, just that your statement about the him and DL was a bit unfair. But no need to split hairs. I'm sure DM will "kick the tires" and feel out what it would take but as was already pointed out, the Mets are in search of starting pitching as well and they certainly have the money to finance the contract that Lackey will likely be looking for.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

Marlow Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 9, 2007
	October 12, 2009 6:27 pm Score: 146
	Yeah it wouldn't be much of a stretch to see John Lackey in a Mets uni next season. The thing I fear most is that The Mustache will: Re-sign Jason Kendall because he'll take a pay cut (why wouldn't he? He's the worst catcher in MLB...he had a .064 ISO! A .290 wOBA! Good lord!). Bring Doug Davis back on a 2 or 3 year deal. Heck, I don't care how long the deal is. Even one year. Its the kind of dumb move Dougie likes to make. Terribly, Davis will be overpaid due to his career year in 2009. Probably like $7 or $8M next year. Yuck. Trade Mat Gamel and J.J. Hardy together for someone like Livan Hernandez and a couple of prospects. I seriously hope that I'm wrong on...pretty much all of those accounts.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

ubbrewer Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Mar 18, 2008
	October 12, 2009 6:44 pm Score: 93
	The thing I fear most is that The Mustache will: Get given extra cash to spend by Mark A, and promptly throw $60m down the drain on 5 years of Jason Marquis or Jarrod Washburn. The sooner those 2 guys are signed by other clubs, the better I will sleep at nights.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

brewhaha7169 Reputation:93 Level:All-Star Since:Oct 9, 2009
	October 12, 2009 10:59 pm Score: 82
	No to Lackey! I see another type of Jeff Suppan-esk bust in that signing. I just don't see Lackey continuing to put up numbers like he did this year. At 32 years old and starting to develop a few arm issues, I think this would be a bad idea! . Not like it matters, as previously mentioned, we would be outbid easily by one of the big market east coast teams with money burning a hole in their pocket.
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- John Lackey wants "A.J. Burnett money"

brewhaha7169 Reputation:93 Level:All-Star Since:Oct 9, 2009
	October 12, 2009 11:00 pm Score: 83
	Re-sign Jason Kendall because he'll take a pay cut (why wouldn't he? He's the worst catcher in MLB...he had a .064 ISO! A .290 wOBA! Good lord!). Bring Doug Davis back on a 2 or 3 year deal. Heck, I don't care how long the deal is. Even one year. Its the kind of dumb move Dougie likes to make. Terribly, Davis will be overpaid due to his career year in 2009. Probably like $7 or $8M next year. Yuck. Trade Mat Gamel and J.J. Hardy together for someone like Livan Hernandez and a couple of prospects. I wish I didn't. But I see some these moves happening too! God I hate DM!!!
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