In the offseason in 2009 the Red Sox organization had the foresight to put a clause into John Lackey’s 5 year, $82.5MM contract. That clause being if Lackey missed significant time due to elbow injuries a team option would go into place for pitching at the league minimum. Lackey had Tommy John surgery in 2012 to trigger the option. He would come back to pitch quality seasons in 2013 and 2014. After his contract looked like a bust in its early stages, it quickly became one of the best bargains in all of baseball.
After helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013, the Red Sox had a disastrous campaign in 2014, leading to several trades. The Cardinals took note of the league-minimum option and at the time, needed pitching depth due to injuries of Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia. One of the reasons the Cardinals targeted Lackey was the league-minimum option.
While rumors spread throughout the league that Lackey would consider retirement if a team did not restructure his contract. Yet, GM John Mozeliak was ensured by Lackey he would not retire when the deal was completed.
Now we enter spring training and there are rumors that Lackey is looking for a restructured 2015 deal or multi-year extension. From Lackey’s standpoint, this is most likely his last chance to secure a multi-year deal or a larger amount of money. While Lackey is open to staying in St. Louis if he were to stay it would be on a team-friendly deal. Lackey will pitch 2015 during his age-36 season. The organization would be wary to give him an extension at that age. Yet, it would be appealing if the team could keep a veteran, quality-starter on a team-friendly deal.
The Cardinals have little reason to restructure his deal this season. And, really, the Cardinals have little reason to offer him an extension. While it is unlikely the Cardinals will pick-up Jaime Garcia’s remaining options after this season. Marco Gonzales, Tyler Lyons and Tim Cooney are three players that would like Lackey’s spot in the rotation in 2016. All three players are pre-arbitration, and the Cardinals believe Gonzales could be a quality starter this season.
Lackey has earned enough money that winning could be his overall concern. The Cardinals would give him that opportunity after appearing four-straight National League Championship Series. If Lackey wants to stay in St. Louis he would need to be prepared to sign a very team-friendly deal. He would also need to be prepared to be moved to the bullpen and accept a relief role after this season.
One concern for the Cardinals could be Lackey’s overall motivation. Lackey was already considering retirement, even with the Red Sox organization, before pitching for the league-minimum. If the Cardinals were not the team to trade for him, we could have seen his retirement this past off-season. While it appears he is committed for the 2015 season his motivation to pitch might be in question as it is clear he wants more money. Lackey did not pitch great for the Cardinals in the 10 regular season games. If he does not pitch well we could see him lose his spot to Gonzales or Garcia. With the Cardinals current situation, Lackey should be set on pitching this season on the league minimum. After all, he agreed to it in 2009.
