The Market For Lackey

With the continual failure by John Lackey to look anything like a major league pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, it is time that they admit the signing was a failure. As it stands, when Clay Buchholz comes off the disabled list, Lackey may end up as the long reliever, should Andrew Miller pitch well. And $15.25 million per year is a lot of money to be paying to a long reliever.

Now, to find a proper landing spot for Lackey, one needs to find a team that is willing to take on bad contracts, and has one of their own to dump. As it turns out, there is such a team sitting in the AL West, Lackey's old stomping grounds. In fact, it was while pitching in the AL West that Lackey looked like an All-Star, and managed to trick Theo Epstein into thinking that he should get paid like an ace.

Enter the Seattle Mariners. They have a ballpark just slightly smaller than the Grand Canyon, no expectations, and do not have fans or media that will consistently put pressure upon them. Also, with King Felix and Pineda entrenched as their top two starters, Lackey can slide into the third pitcher role, and probably 'rediscover' his stuff when he leaves the confines of Fenway Park. Since the Mariners are not likely to score anyway, adding another pitcher may help them push towards a pennant, since they are only two games back presently.

So, who would the Mariners send over? Well, as it turns out, they have their own albatross of a contract that actually could fill a position of need for the Sox. Chone Figgins, come on down! His offensive game has vanished in cavernous Safeco Park, and he also desperately needs a change of scenery. The slash line he presently has of .190/.238/.254 can only improve with a move to Boston and Fenway Park. Plus, with the injury to Jed Lowrie, the Red Sox could use a utility infielder/outfielder type, and Figgins has displayed the ability to be that player in his career.

On paper, there is the concern that Seattle would not make this trade due to the difference in price tag (Figgins only has another $17 million over the next two years left). So, the Red Sox send some money over, or a mid-level prospect. It wouldn't be the first time they paid someone to take on a mistake (see Renteria, Edgar). They should be willing to do the same thing here.

Seattle has also shone a willingness to take on a bad contract to dump one of their own. Let us not forget the Carlos Silva for Milton Bradley swap, where more fecal matter switched sides than when monkeys fight at the zoo. They have made these trades before - they will make them again.

Make the right move here Boston and Seattle. Put those two out of their misery and get them a new start.