John Lackey

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Little was expected from Lackey entering the 2011 season and he didn't exceed those expectations. He finished 12-12 and he should thank his teammates, who supported him with 9.39 runs per game. He authored a 6.41 ERA in 160 innings, historically-bad numbers. Lackey missed some starts early on with an elbow injury, which eventually required Tommy John surgery and will force him to miss the entire 2012 season. He could be the most unpopular athlete in Boston these days.

2011

For better or worse, Lackey threw the most innings of any Boston starter in 2010. He gave up a ton of hits and walks, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona didn't have to waste his bullpen when Lackey started -- mostly because Lackey was given very good run support. Aside from that, Lackey did not perform up to the level of the five-year, $82.5 million contract he signed last winter. His per-nine numbers moved in the negative direction across the board. If you want to hang your hat somewhere, Lackey was at his best in September, he pitched reasonably well against the Yankees, and was healthy. He'll return as Boston's fourth starter, and there's something to be said for pitching on a contending team that's capable of scoring runs for you, but there's some negative perception and performance he needs to turn around in 2011.

2010

For the second season in a row, Lackey owners had to wait to open their draft-day present, as the right-hander missed seven starts with an elbow strain. Once healthy, he was as effective as ever, and even with the missed time was the top free-agent starting pitcher available over the winter. The question, for owners real and fantasy, is whether Lackey can make 33 starts a year. It's an eight-round difference at the draft table, maybe $8 million a season in the real world. His build and the lack of surgeries say that he can, and the Red Sox seem to agree after signing him to a five-year, $85 million contract in December.

2009

Lackey wasn't nearly as dominant in 2008 as he was the previous season and he finished the season with only 12 wins, good for fourth on the team. Lackey, who only made 24 starts last season, finished with less than 30 starts for the first time since he was a rookie in 2002; but he still managed to post a 3.75 ERA and strike out 130 batters in 163.1 innings pitched. The Angels exercised their 2009 club option on Lackey in October, while a long-term deal could be worked out before he hits the open market as a free agent next winter.

2008

Following a strong 2007 season that saw him finish third in the AL Cy Young voting, Lackey has ascended into the top tier of major league pitchers. Lackey went 19-9 with an AL-leading 3.01 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 224 innings. Lackey is in his prime, so his numbers should be very good again next year and he'll remain the ace for a competitive Angels club for the foreseeable future. Statistically, he's not far from the likes of Johan Santana and Jake Peavy, but he's relatively under the radar given the lack of postseason hardware.

2007

One of the AL's most reliable sources of strikeouts, Lackey hasn't taken that next step forward in improving his command. He's a very slight improvement from being a No. 1 starter, and this is the year he gets there. He'll challenge for the Johan Santana Award.

2006

Lackey showed solid improvement in 2005 and is a sleeper breakout candidate for 2006. His 199 strikeouts (in 209 innings) topped his previous season high of 151 (in 204 innings). The most important trend to note is his post All-Star break performance where he was 8-1 with a 2.57 ERA.

2005

Lackey almost duplicated his 2003 season in 2004, but he wasn't exactly repeating a success. He's been just average since his debut, and with each passing year it's looking increasingly likely that's all he'll ever be. Consider him trade bait if he starts hot.

2004

Lackey's first full year in the rotation can't be considered a success, but it wasn't exactly a failure either. His strikeouts jumped while his walks and hits allowed dropped, and that has to count for something. That said he still gives up too many home runs. If you have a reserve list, be patient with him. If you don't, let someone else take the risk.

2003

The answer to the trivia question of who won Game 7 of the World Series for the Angels is John Lackey. Once he was given a chance to start in July, Lackey impressed and became a marginal fantasy threat in AL-only leagues. Should be the No. 5 starter this season and will start at least 22 games.