Red Sox luck out with Lackey

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Then there’s John Lackey. While Roy Halladay may be this offseason’s coveted pitching prize, the Red Sox aren’t about to let the soon-to-be former Toronto hurler hold them for ransom. Instead Lackey is, and at a reportedly $85 million for five years, the former Angels right-hander will prove to be worth every penny as the Sox regain the throne from the Yankees in possessing the league’s best starting rotation.

Lackey joins a Sox rotation that’s already solid with the likes of Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka. His presence now puts the Sox back on par with the Yankees’ starters, who won the World Series after landing last year’s big offseason pitching ticket, CC Sabathia.

Lackey’s pending arrival is reminiscent of 2004’s acquisition of Curt Schilling. A tough customer in his own right, Schilling was at first hesitant to come to Boston and it took the now famous Thanksgiving visit by Sox general manager Theo Epstein and owner John Henry to convince him to sign on the dotted line. Eleven months later, Schilling proved instrumental in leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years and then again in 2007.

Likewise, Lackey is a big-game pitcher whose presence will help get Boston back to the World Series, a place he has not been since he led Anaheim to the 2002 title. Needless-to-say, Lackey (11-8 with a 3.81 ERA last season) is hungry for a return there, especially after being eliminated in the playoffs by the Sox twice in the last five years, and most recently by the Yankees this past season. In addition, his fiery, no-nonsense approach to the game has him fitting in well in Boston, whose fans arguably harbored little love for him as an Angel. But now that he’s presumably set to sign with the Sox, they’re more than happy to have him aboard — much like the Celtics’ pick-up of Rasheed Wallace over the summer.

The trick now for the Sox is providing Lackey and company the needed run support that ultimately translates into wins. While Jason Bay’s recent and somewhat surprising prima donna antics certainly aren’t helping things, viable options are out there. It’s just up to Epstein to find them and has with veteran Gold Glove outfielder Mike Cameron poised to join the team today.