Orange County Register

 3 Comments

• Stephen C. Smith says:

  July 2, 2009 at 3:14 pm

  If memory serves, didn’t the Arizona Diamondbacks go through a similar financial meltdown a few years back? There were all sorts of dire predictions, and yet they were able to go out and sign/trade for star players.

  Reggie Jackson used to say his gate attraction status meant he paid for himself. (He got a slice of the gate for each ticket sold above 2.3 million or thereabouts.) Lackey might fit into the same category, although as a starting pitcher he’s only in 32 games unlike Reg-gie who was a regular. The Rangers were fairly awful during Ryan’s playing days, but he sure packed them in at the gate.

  I’m not able to figure out Kevin Millwood’s contract status, other than I found a reference to a “fairly achievable $12MM vesting option for 2010.” So to upgrade from Millwood to Lackey wouldn’t cost all that much, assuming Millwood doesn’t return.

  In any case, thanks for asking Lack about this. I’m glad to know there’s still a chance he’ll be around for 2010. Although I suppose he could go to Houston like Ryan did when he left Anaheim.

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• Earl Bloom, staff writer says:

  July 2, 2009 at 4:02 pm

  Stephen, per mlbtraderumors.com, Millwood’s vesting option is this:

  The Rangers can decline the $12 million option for 2010 if Millwood does not reach 180 IP in 2009.

  He’s at 119 IP right now.

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  • Stephen C. Smith says:

    July 2, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Thanks … So if we see Nolan Ryan taking a bat into the clubhouse shower after a Millwood start, we’ll know why. :-)

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