Hot Topic 2: John Lackey

John Lackey has been consistent, has won a World Series, and now he wants to get paid. Nobody is going to argue with those facts, and frankly they should not. In the last five seasons Lackey has had a record on average of roughly 13-7, without an ERA over 3.83. The thing about Lackey is that he gets better in the postseason, in which is ERA is 3.12 overall.

The native Texan is now, along with agent Steve Hillard, is looking for suitors willing to put up the big bucks. Last year A.J. Burnett signed with the Yankees for five-years and $82.5 million. Burnett going into that negotiation had been with Florida and then Toronto the previous five years, and in comparison to Lackey was not as good a pitcher statistically. He averaged a record of roughly 11-8 during that stretch, and an ERA of 3.75 or higher three times.

In that comparison there are other factors that have to be looked into, as the Angels were a better team overall than both Florida and Toronto. While Burnett had only one strikeout less in that five year span in almost 1a0 less innings pitched. So while the record and ERA are in favor of Lackey, Burnett is able to claim other advantages himself.

So while Lackey may want, and deserve Burnett type money, it is a tough call for clubs to make, and there might only be a certain number of suitors for that price range. As goes with Holliday, the rich are the ones that are going to be able to afford Lackey, so let the buying championships rants begin.