However, the Sox aren't the only ones reeling from the Lackey news, as the New York Daily News' Anthony McCarron believes that the Yankees may have "got a shiver" with the announcement, as well.
Why? Because their ace, CC Sabathia, has a chance to opt out of his current deal with the Yanks and could be "lured to" the Red Sox.
"Getting Sabathia might be a great way for new Boston GM Ben Cherington … to make a splash in his first winter in charge on Yawkey Way," writes McCarron.
So how did the Yankees react?
"They have a player who went down with an injury, it’s unfortunate," Brian Cashman told the Daily News. "What the ripple effect is, I have no idea.
"I've got no idea what the Red Sox business plan will be," he added. "They'll do whatever is in their best interests. We'll control what we can control. It's free agency — there are a lot of variables. It's the undiscovered country. I certainly couldn't predict."
McCarron's sources don't believe the Sox can afford Sabathia and that "he isn't leaving New York."
The hefty lefty would be opting out of four years and $92 million, so one would assume he'll be looking for a lot more dough (no pun intended, CC).
While the idea seems unlikely, the Daily News went ahead and created a Red Sox jersey-wearing Sabathia photo anyways, as seen below.