John Lackey to undergo Tommy John surgery

by Adam J. Morris on Oct 25, 2011 7:49 PM CDT

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery, meaning that he will miss the 2012 season.

Daisuke Matsuzaka underwent the surgery earlier this season, as well, which means that two-fifths of the team's 2011 starting rotation will be on the shelf for all of next year, at a combined cost of about $26 million (or about $36 million, if you want to amortize the posting price the Red Sox paid for the rights to Matsuzaka).

That means Boston is looking at Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and (assuming he's healthy) Clay Buchholz for the 2012 rotation, along with some unknowns. This could impact the C.J. Wilson free agency hunt, as Boston could feel like they need to go out and get someone this offseason to join the rotation, and Wilson is one of the top three options on the free agent market, along with C.C. Sabathia and Yu Darvish.

Interestingly, there's a clause in Lackey's contract which provides that, if he were to go under the knife for T-J surgery, they get the right to bring him back in 2015 at the league minimum, so if Lackey bounces back in 2013 and 2014, this could potentially cost him a significant amount of money.

No word yet if video games and fried chicken are being blamed for the injury.

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speaking of injuries.... Brandon Webb... was his contract a 1 or 2 year gamble?

also, will he get playoff shares & rings? or do you have to be on the 25 at some point in the season?

"God dammit TAG I swear to God if you keep this "It was a close play" shit up all night I will send you cookies made from my own shit" -River Fenix 8/26/2011

"this is a big reason I decided not to convert to Islam now if it was 72 skanks? Different story, my friend" Bob Loblaw 9/2/2011

by I am Neftali Feliz on Oct 25, 2011 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

...

It was a one year deal.

Whether he gets a playoff share is voted on by the players. Honestly… I don’t think he will.

Whether he gets a ring is up to the Rangers. They give them to anyone they choose (see Herbie). I don’t think he will for that either.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Oct 25, 2011 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Brandon Webb is like our Peter Bishop...

He’s been erased from the timeline.

Only in his case, nobody cares enough to bring him back.

by LSJ on Oct 25, 2011 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd be surprised if Webb doesn't at least get a quarter or half share

And I’d imagine he’ll get a ring.

by Adam J. Morris on Oct 25, 2011 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions

A ring isn't all that much $

But a share of the money to a rich veteran is taking $ out of the pockets of not-so-rich young guys who’ve contributed this year.

Baseball's hard, guys. I mean, it really is. You can love it but, believe me, it don't always love you back. It's kind of like dating a German chick, you know?

by Buttermaker on Oct 25, 2011 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions

herbs has a front office ring... still had to pay for it himself too...

"God dammit TAG I swear to God if you keep this "It was a close play" shit up all night I will send you cookies made from my own shit" -River Fenix 8/26/2011

"this is a big reason I decided not to convert to Islam now if it was 72 skanks? Different story, my friend" Bob Loblaw 9/2/2011

by I am Neftali Feliz on Oct 25, 2011 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions

They give the team chaplain a ring

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Oct 25, 2011 9:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Big Contract Free Agent Pitching

It doesn’t seem like it’s worked out so well in the last few years. C.C. and Cliff Lee have been great obviously. But? So many more sort of suck.

"It's incredibly hard." - Ronald Washington

by 3Bagger on Oct 25, 2011 8:11 PM CDT reply actions

Instead of his teammates

Lackey can bitch and winney at his nurses, doctors, and therapists next season.

Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson

by SarasotaRanger on Oct 25, 2011 8:16 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Might as well fix that horse face while under sedation...

Ventura::Lewin::Greenberg

I bleed Ranger black and blue.

Leonys Martin is no Judy- JD at Newberg Night.

by BigGuns on Oct 25, 2011 8:19 PM CDT reply actions

lol

NO This is why i dont come here so much anymore. it has become a destination for certain types which i am not. Love the rangers, not this -- Mark from OC on Arrested Development

Justin Verlander? I piss on Justin Verlander --AJM

by shock00 on Oct 26, 2011 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

That's unfortunate

by mizzou918 on Oct 25, 2011 8:33 PM CDT reply actions

Hey

Joel Zumaya injured himself playing guitar hero. Don’t rule out the video games or the chicken.

"By MLB.TV, we can see J. Hamilton's homer, M. Young's clutch, and N. Feliz's explosive. All about Rangers things can be our interest" --South Korean Rangers fan

I'm a Web & TV Sports Producer at WFAA. Feel free to email me about anything.

by Conjunction on Oct 25, 2011 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, but Joel Zumaya makes Brandon McCarthy look like Iron Man

by LSJ on Oct 25, 2011 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

He also makes Feliz's fastball look like it was thrown by a mortal

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Oct 25, 2011 9:11 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

It could ne the fried chicken

But first we gotta figure out if it’s KFC, Church’s or Popeye’s. Then all will be clear.

by rodinuk on Oct 25, 2011 9:42 PM CDT reply actions

Lester said it was Popeyes

by dumdum000333 on Oct 25, 2011 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I feel like Boston's most aggressive play will be for C.C., but I have nothing on which to base that feeling.

cs, b

"I have thought a lot about why people get so hostile online, and I have come to believe it is primarily because we live in a society with a hypertrophied sense of justice and an atrophied sense of humility and charity, to put the matter in terms of the classic virtues." --Alan Jacobs

by JDT217 on Oct 25, 2011 9:50 PM CDT reply actions

Is there an upper limit on Boston's finances?

People act like they’re New York and essentially have infinite dollars. But they have a LOT of money on the books for 2012. Lackey, Dice K, AGon, Crawford, Youklis; even Lester and Pedroia are beginning to get pricey.

Sure they’re probably losing Papelbon, but that also means they have to replace Papelbon. Same with David Ortiz (though I can’t see him going anywhere).

Go Rice Owls!
Would be a Matt Harrison fan, but I only like superstars

by JBImaknee on Oct 25, 2011 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

How's it going man?

You all moved and what not?

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Oct 25, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

xx

but that also means they have to replace Papelbon.

bard

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 26, 2011 7:03 AM CDT up reply actions

CJ's agent just creamed in his pants

Baseball's hard, guys. I mean, it really is. You can love it but, believe me, it don't always love you back. It's kind of like dating a German chick, you know?

by Buttermaker on Oct 25, 2011 9:52 PM CDT reply actions

No racetracks in Mass.

And some of the strictest gun laws in America.

by Van Down By The River on Oct 25, 2011 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow.

I find it interesting that there was a TJ clause in the contract. Possibly the Red Sox knew it could happen before they signed him?

by cubsfaninatl on Oct 25, 2011 11:25 PM CDT reply actions

It couldnt have happened to a nicer....

…………yeah…..douche

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.

by NothinG on Oct 25, 2011 11:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

That's a hell of a clausE

"Look if you want a journalist hire a UT grad. If you want a doctor you pick a Baylor grad. If you need a vet you see an Aggie grad. And if you need a pizza you call a Tech grad." -BUBacker
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by Mike E on Oct 26, 2011 12:45 AM CDT reply actions