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Lacking A Lackey

John Lackey might have pitched last game in an Angels uniform. With Los Angeles’ once-potent lineup plating just four runs in 22 innings against the Yankees, the Angels find themselves down two games to none in the ALCS and in need of a major turnaround to keep their World Series hopes alive. Lackey is scheduled to start game five, if the Angels can make it until then.

But no matter how long Los Angeles lasts, Lackey’s career in L.A. seems to be dwindling down to its final weeks. His contract expires at season’s end, and with the Angels facing the impending free agency of Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu, and Vlad Guerrero as well, there may not be room to bring back the former 19-game winner.

According to SI’s Jon Heyman, Lackey rejected the Angels’ offer of 3 years and roughly $40 million prior to the start of the season, and when Lackey started having elbow problems, talks broke off entirely. L.A. then acquired lefty Scott Kazmir after the trade deadline, a move that not only seems to soften the blow of losing Lackey, but also provides another multi-million dollar hit to the payroll that further handcuffs the team financially. Supposedly, Lackey wants “A.J. Burnett money,” referring to the 5 year, $82.5 million deal that Burnett got from the Yankees last winter. And when you consider that Lackey’s number compare favorably almost across the board to Burnett’s, he can probably get it.

Enter the Texas Rangers.

Lackey, who was born and raised in Abilene, is a proud Texan and the closest thing to an ace that will hit the free agent market this offseason. The Rangers play in Texas and are in desperate need of said ace. So what’s not to like? Well, the price tag, for one. And there’s the question of whether Lackey’s a bona fide ace, or just a top-of-the-rotation kind of pitcher. And then there’s his age. And his health. And whether or not he’d wither in the Texas heat like so many before him.

The Rangers would be remiss if they didn’t at least explore all avenues in regards to Lackey. But even if the Rangers can afford to pay him the $16.5 million-per-year he’s hoping to emulate from Burnett, and even if they’re willing to commit their entire offseason to one player, one big question still looms.

Should they?

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As Richards Joins Stars’ Infirmary, Brunnstrom Among Those to Get More Chances to Shine

DALLAS – Center Brad Richards won’t play on Monday night against Los Angeles, finally missing a game after playing with a sore groin for weeks. Wing Steve Ott finally skated with his teammates this morning and might be ready to return Wednesday night when a three-game road trip begins in Anaheim. Center Mike Modano and wing Jere Lehtinen are a ways off and probably won’t make the trip.

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If You Thought Cowboys Would Have Best Weekend in NFC East, Kindly Pass Along Lotto Numbers

The Giants blocked a New Orleans PAT attempt, but they failed to block the other six and lost by 21. The Eagles couldn’t score a touchdown on the Raiders. The Chiefs joined the Lions as beneficiaries of that little-known Washington stimulus program known as playing the Redskins.

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