John Lackey has officially been a St. Louis Cardinal for just a shade over 24 hours, but he’s already committing to his new ballclub for another year.
The Cardinals acquired the right-hander from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, and with Lackey, came his funky contract. When Lackey signed with Boston as a free agent before the 2010 season, the Red Sox tacked on a club option for 2015 that would pay him the league minimum if he missed “significant” time due to a pre-existing elbow injury.
The clause proved to be a smart move by the club, as he missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but now that option belongs to St. Louis. While some speculated the 35-year-old would attempt to renegotiate his contract to earn more than the $500,000 he’s due in 2015 or perhaps even retire, Lackey said those won’t be the routes he takes.
[tweet https://twitter.com/LangoschMLB/statuses/495331906498867200 align=’center’]
That’s a serious win for the Cards, who not only receive a veteran who has posted a 3.60 ERA through 21 starts this season as they gear up for their postseason run, but a bargain next season as well.
