Reports: John Lackey to Red Sox

Reports from several sources starting with Ed Price of FanHouse suggest free agent pitcher John Lackey is headed to Boston. 

Ed Price tweeted, “Source: Free-agent P John Lackey to take physical with Red Sox. Boston apparently moving on to 2nd choice after Jason Bay. Working to confirm.”

This has implications on both the Yankees and Mets. 

The Mets have extended an offer to left fielder Jason Bay, formerly of the Red Sox. Boston has made at least two offers to Bay, but he has turned them both down. It looks like the Lackey signing means Boston will walk away from Bay. Now that Bay isn’t headed to Boston, the Mets are more of a likely landing spot for Bay.

Lackey to Boston makes the AL East tougher and may force the Yankees to dip into the free agent pool or trade market for another starting pitcher. Beckett, Lackey, and Lester will be tough trio to face. The Yankees will be in no rush to do so though.