St. Louis Cardinals Hopes for the Offseason: John Lackey
John Lackey was the surprise get of the 2014 season.
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He came here in exchange for two fan favorites in Allen Craig and Joe Kelly with the promise of being the key to what we needed to get to and ultimately win the World Series. He had that big game experience and grit. A lot of grit that the team had been missing since the retirement of Chris Carpenter.
My favorite moment was when he got ejected for supposedly cursing at an umpire. It was what I’d been hoping for since he’d arrived!
For Lackey, the 2014 part of his season with the Cardinals was pretty much meh. He had his really good moments. He pitched some good games during the season and post season. He ate some innings. But? We never really saw that fire. That postseason experience come in handy nor did the Cardinals make it to the World Series.
So. It was disappointing. But, fans knew that part of the trade included one more year.
Currently, he will be owed $500,000 to play in 2015 for the Cardinals. I gotta tell you. He earned $15.25 million last season. Sure, both salaries are huge in the grand scheme of things. I know Cards GM John Mozeliak had mentioned wanting to re-work Lackey’s contract. I hope they do re-work his contract before or during Spring Training. Get that contract loaded with incentives so he has a reason to pitch above expectations. Otherwise? That’s pretty insulting for a guy with 12 years of service in the league, who you brought in specifically for his playoff experience and his attitude.
That’s my number one hope for Lackey’s offseason. Let’s discuss a few more hopes!
* Show no fear when it comes to letting your edge show. The Cardinals desperately need a pitcher with a tenacious streak. A few steps up from Adam Wainwright‘s bull dog. Maybe, Lackey should shoot to become the Cardinals’ Rottweiler. An awesome dog with a fiercely loyal streak who could easily gnaw the ankles of opposing players who mess with his team. What?! We need an amp’d up old dog with an attitude on the pitching staff. Lackey could and should be that for the Birds!
* Become BFFs with Yadier. Working with Yadier Molina was starting to show some good results until the catcher got hurt. Let’s hope a full season together helps. Yadier can definitely assist Lackey in properly channeling rage.
I really want to see John Lackey be amazing and everything we hoped he would be and more for the Cardinals. Let’s hope he gets a re-worked contract and feels at ease in being who he is … a fierce competitor. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring this season.