What signing Lackey could mean for Sox

December, 14, 2009
12/14/09
3:29
PM ET
By Gordon Edes | ESPNBoston.com

The Red Sox did a great job of disguising their intentions on free-agent pitcher John Lackey.

Up to this point they had been focused on Jason Bay, made a tentative deal with the Rangers to send Mike Lowell to Texas and were also looking at Adrian Beltre as a possible replacement for Lowell at third base. In the midst of all of this, Lackey snuck into town unnoticed and has reached a tentative deal with the Red Sox, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

So what would signing Lackey mean, besides giving Boston a formidable 1-2-3 punch along with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester at the top of the rotation?

For starters, it means they could explore a possible deal for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (perhaps dangling Clay Buchholz as part of a deal?).

It also raises questions about the future of Beckett, who is going into the last year of his contract in Boston. What would signing Lackey to a big contract do to the Red Sox's attempt to re-sign Beckett if indeed it is their intention.

Lots to digest here ... I'll come back with much more later on ...

Gordon Edes

Red Sox reporter, ESPNBoston.com
  • Has covered Red Sox for 15 years
  • Award-winning beat reporter
  • Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
Tags:

Boston Red Sox, John Lackey

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Gordon Edes
Gordon Edes

Gordon Edes, who joined ESPNBoston.com in Nov. 2009, has covered MLB for more than 25 years. He spent 12 years covering the Sox for the Globe. Ask a question for his next mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.

Joe McDonald
Joe McDonald

Joe McDonald, a native Rhode Islander, joined ESPNBoston.com as a Bruins and Red Sox reporter in February 2010. He has worked at the Providence Journal since 1992, covering the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, PawSox and Providence Bruins over the past nine years. Follow him on Twitter here.

Jeremy Lundblad
Jeremy Lundblad

Jeremy Lundblad is a senior researcher with ESPN Stats & Information. He provides statistical analysis for ESPNBoston.com and will post here frequently during the season. Follow him on Twitter here.

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Steven Krasner

Steven Krasner, a Rhode Island native, has been a Red Sox contributor for ESPNBoston.com since June, 2010. He also covered the Red Sox for 22 years at the Providence Journal. He conducts interactive classroom and Skype writing workshops and has authored several children's baseball books.

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Mike Andrews is designer and developer of SoxProspects.com and a special contributor to ESPNBoston.com. He writes a weekly column on Red Sox prospects.

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