Comments on: Lacking A Lackey

By: TK Lawless

TK Lawless — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:29:40 +0000

Not one team in baseball would choose Millwood over Lackey. Get real. They may be somewhat similar statistically, but that’s were it ends, and that’s nothing against Milly. adding Lackey at the top, slidimg Millwood & Feldman back to 2 & 3, definitely makes the Ranger’s a contender, if not the favorite in the West.

By: TK Lawless

TK Lawless — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:26:27 +0000

I don’t know if he’s an Ace or not, but he’s the #1 pitcher on a team that’s won the division how many times recently? and by how many games? 10 this year and by more than 20 last year.

By: Buff fan

Buff fan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:21:35 +0000

Laughable to even consider whether he is an “ace” or not. He is a THREE, for crying out loud!

By: Sam Merten

Sam Merten — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:23:40 +0000

@Ryan:

“Lackey’s career in L.A. seems to be dwindling…”

“Texas beat him up in L.A. as well…”

Lackey’s career has been in Anaheim — where the Angels’ stadium is located — which is where Texas beat him up as well.

“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.”

I’m tired of the assumption that players from here or who live here somehow make good fits for the Rangers or would want to play here. There are far too many examples of this not working (Torii Hunter being a recent example) than those supporting your theory.

“And there’s the question of whether Lackey’s a bona fide ace, or just a top-of-the-rotation kind of pitcher.”

Nope, there isn’t a question about him being a bona fide ace. He’s not. You burned hundreds of words comparing him to Kevin Millwood — is he an ace?

@john in Clearwater:

“I wonder if the Angels will offer him arbitration?”

Stop wondering. The answer is yes. Why in the world would you think differently? He’s going to have several multi-year offers to choose from, so he wouldn’t consider accepting it. If you’re the Angels, why wouldn’t you want the picks as compensation for his loss???

By: Brandon

Brandon — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:31:11 +0000

I’ve heard whispers that he was a benefactor of the steroid era.

By: Beesley

Beesley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:31:39 +0000

I say go with the kids. Maybe supplement with one affordable veteran. But even if it takes one more year for them to get it down, the experience is priceless. I think Detroit was the prime example of how to do that.
If we’re going to spend money, amp up the bullpen and get one more bat.

By: bigskinny

bigskinny — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:55:20 +0000

I doubt Lackey would sign with the Rangers. There was some bad blood there and I would wonder whether an emotional guy like Lackey would want to shake the ghosts of Rangers’ past to sign with his local team.

By: Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:45:31 +0000

@ John

You’re right about the pick, but keep in mind the Rangers will have two first rounders next year because they failed to sign Purke. Plus, if Byrd signs elsewhere, they’ll get a compensation pick as well.

By: john in clearwater

john in clearwater — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:30:53 +0000

What Burnett got was “Yankee Money”. I guess the Yankees could sign Lackey too, but very few other teams would spend that kind of money on him. I think the rest of league would view him at a value right around what the Angels offered. I wonder if the Angels will offer him arbitration? Losing a draft pick in the Ranger way of working is a pretty big deal. If the Angels don’t resign any of their free agents (assuming they offer all arbitration, which they all turn down, and also not knowing for sure if each of them is a Type A or not), the Angels could get four additional first round picks. Losing all those guys will hurt at the major league level, but all those picks could be a pretty quick re-load for that team. One way or another, it appears certain that the Angels aren’t going away.

By: S. Arcasm

S. Arcasm — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:55:58 +0000

I know it’s too early to tell, but with the economy what it is, and revenues down for a lot of teams, maybe contracts aren’t going to stay at or go over the levels set in previous years. This could very easily be a down year for free agent signings, and if that is the case, maybe Lackey could be had for less than projected at the moment. Whether he is worth it or not may well be another story.