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Moriarty9 · 11-08-2009, 03:08 PM

Lackey dealt for Quentin
Devil Rays add pop to lineup with deal
July 7, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With John Lackey determined to enter the free agent market, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays decided to cut bait and trade the pitcher today.

Lackey was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Carlos Quentin.

Lackey, 32, is eligible to become a free agent for the first time in his career this off-season and had told the Tampa Bay front office he intended to test the market. The native Texan will now have to decide on looking for an extension with the Astros or testing the market over the winter. In 17 starts this year, Lackey has gone 7-6 with a 4.26 ERA, posting a 1.20 WHIP. He owns a career 80-51 record and 4.12 ERA in seven seasons with the Devil Rays. He started off strong, going 29-9 in his first two big league seasons, but has struggled to duplicate that success since. Lackey went 11-8 with a 3.56 ERA last season, his best performance as of late.

Lackey is owed more than $5.5 million this season, and is reportedly expecting $12-15 million annually in his next contract.

The Devil Rays could have let Lackey walk and possibly get a draft pick as compensation, but instead the club has acquired Quentin, a 28-year-old corner outfielder with some pop in his bat.

Quentin hit .260 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI in 59 games with Houston this season, putting him on a pace to hit 26 homers and 66 RBI in 111 games for the year. He hit .256 with 24 homers and 106 RBI in 144 games with the Boston Red Sox last season, and was traded to Houston in the off-season.

Quentin is owed more than $6.6 million this season and is arbitration eligible at the end of the season.

11-08-2009, 03:08 PM	#683 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Lackey dealt for Quentin Devil Rays add pop to lineup with deal July 7, 2011 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With John Lackey determined to enter the free agent market, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays decided to cut bait and trade the pitcher today. Lackey was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Carlos Quentin. Lackey, 32, is eligible to become a free agent for the first time in his career this off-season and had told the Tampa Bay front office he intended to test the market. The native Texan will now have to decide on looking for an extension with the Astros or testing the market over the winter. In 17 starts this year, Lackey has gone 7-6 with a 4.26 ERA, posting a 1.20 WHIP. He owns a career 80-51 record and 4.12 ERA in seven seasons with the Devil Rays. He started off strong, going 29-9 in his first two big league seasons, but has struggled to duplicate that success since. Lackey went 11-8 with a 3.56 ERA last season, his best performance as of late. Lackey is owed more than $5.5 million this season, and is reportedly expecting $12-15 million annually in his next contract. The Devil Rays could have let Lackey walk and possibly get a draft pick as compensation, but instead the club has acquired Quentin, a 28-year-old corner outfielder with some pop in his bat. Quentin hit .260 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI in 59 games with Houston this season, putting him on a pace to hit 26 homers and 66 RBI in 111 games for the year. He hit .256 with 24 homers and 106 RBI in 144 games with the Boston Red Sox last season, and was traded to Houston in the off-season. Quentin is owed more than $6.6 million this season and is arbitration eligible at the end of the season.