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John Lackey is the new Jarrod Washburn
July 1st, 2009, 8:35 am · 14 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer
History has a way of repeating itself when it comes to top Angels pitchers.
Jarrod Washburn won 75 games as an Angel before heading into free agency at age 31 and landing in Seattle, where he is 27-48 with a 4.36 ERA.
Rumor has it he will end up in Philadelphia or with the Dodgers at some point this summer, which would be a nice break for the left-hander.
John Lackey has won 93 games as an Angel, and seems destined to head into free agency at age 31. Whether the right-hander will thrive where Washburn has so far disappointed remains to be seen.
Six months ago, I was sure Lackey and the Angels would reach a long-term agreement. Guess I forgot about Washburn, but the difference there was Washburn was coming off his three poorest Angels seasons when the Mariners gave him a four-year, $37 milion windfall.
Washburn was only making $350,000 in 2002 when he went 18-6 in the Angels’ magical championship season (although he lost both his World Series starts). The lefty made $6.5 million his last Angels season, 2005.
Lackey, who started and won Game 7 against the Giants as a 23-year-old rookie, is making $9 million on an option the Angels picked up for this season. In January, I thought he was worth A.J. Burnett money — at least — and would get it.
Now I am not so sure. ESPN’s Buster Olney details the sad economic state of many baseball franchises, in explaining why the Pittsburgh Pirates had to send about $400,000 in cash to the New York Yankees to play half of Eric Hinske’s salary. That’s right, the Yankees needed to receive cash to make a deal.
(By the way, I would love to rant about the Pirates’ recent trades of starting outfielders Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan, plus Hinske — I am not sure, however, any Angels or Dodgers fans really care. Let me know)
Washburn was 75-57 with a 3.93 ERA in his Angels career. Lackey is 93-86 with a 3.83 ERA.
At least the Angels got an extension with Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders can’t be free agents … for awhile.
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Lackey has been pretty bad since the all star break last year. I’d wait until the end of the season to see if he can turn it around. Maybe he’s pitching hurt, either way, he needs to show some dominance before the Angels bite.
I have a feeling Lackey will be wearing a Rangers uniform next year. Just as they went after Nolan Ryan in the twilight of his career, Lackey would be a big marketing tool for the Rangers. He’ll pay for himself.
yeah plus Ryan is there, Lackey’s a Texas native, he pitches the way Ryan loves, and they desperately need a proven ace.
I’d hate to see Lackey leave but he’s clearly got “short timers syndrome” in his comments and attitude towards the Angels.
I also know it’s a business, and there’s some real arms available this year and next via trades and potential free agency.
Lackey may have overplayed his own hand a little bit heading into free agency so confident before the season, and his numbers haven’t helped his cause in a walk year. Whould be interesting…
My then-employer sent me to Dallas in the early 1990s when Ryan was still pitching, and the Rangers were in the old Arlington ballpark. To show you how big a deal Ryan was, on the side of the stadium, top to bottom, was a giant Texas flag. Next to it, at equal size, was a portrait of Ryan.
Wowee.
And although it’s long gone, I bought a poster of Ryan dressed up in 19th Century cowboy duds standing in the middle of a Wild West main street as if it were high noon, except instead of a gun he had a baseball. It was awesome.
Back to Lackey … I know Lack is a big Ryan admirer. I just think that, given the opportunity to go home and work for his hero, he couldn’t pass that up. I wouldn’t.
I got Ryan’s autograph on - I think it was a 1989 Topps card - - I still have it in a case somewhere.
That ones mine. Period.
Somewhere I have a “no-hit” ball signed by Ryan, Bob Feller and Sandy Koufax.
I used to have a Lake Elsinore jersey signed by Lackey but sold it off last year after I lost my job. (Sorry, Lack …)
Washburn is on the move? I didn’t realize the Mariners were sellers. They’re only 3.5 back.
The Pirates were only five back when they continued dumping salary Tuesday, although they have a lot of teams to go over in a mediocre division..
And I don’t think the Mariners will be able to maintain without Adrian Beltre’s defense at 3B at least.
I want to hear more about Morgan!
Nyjer Morgan looked great, wearing No. 1 as a National and sitting in the dugout at the start of Wednesday’s game against the Marlins. Apparently, his flight was delayed, and Washington plans to start him in center field on Friday. I believe he’s going to lead off, too.
Morgan, a former 33rd-round draft pick, said he was “flattered” that the last-place Nationals wanted him.
Being late didn’t help Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes, who arrived at the ballpark after the 10 a.m. reporting time, and was promptly optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Acta said it was strictly a baseball move; the Nationals want Dukes playing every day.
Lackey, however, is in for a rude awakening if he thinks that he is going to get some big-time money.
I agree to a certain extent, but he’s good enough that someone wil overpay him for his services.
The question is whether or not that team will be competitive enough to make him happy.
Should be interesting to see where he lands. It will clearly indicate his priorities and loyalties.
I’m fine with him taking the money, but his preface that he “wants to see what the team will do to prove they want to win” bit will seem really hollow if he chases only $$$.
Morgan is on one of my fantasy teams. I hope the Nationals let him fly. The kid has skills.
Earl: I am an Angels fan through and through, first and foremost, etc., etc. But my father grew up in Pittsburgh, and so I love the Steelers and have always followed the Pirates (they were actually my #1 team until Francisco Cabrera and Sid Bream broke my little 8-yr-old heart). Having closely followed all 16+ years of futility and the terrible trades (Matt Morris)/acquisitions (Pat Meares)/terrible draft picks (Moskos over Wieters)/salary dumps (Aramis Ramirez) that accompanied it… I actually really like all of the moves the Pirates have made this year and last year (the Bay trade is the only one I’m kind of so-so on, and the Sanchez draft pick will be justified to me IF they sign Sano)… so yes, I would love for you to rant about them, and I would love to respond to your rant. (I don’t think anyone ELSE will care, though…)