St. Louis Cardinals exercise option on John Lackey

The St. Louis Cardinals, runners up for the NL pennant, are set to retain their recently acquired workhorse as the team has exercised its option on starting pitcher John Lackey, according to a report by the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).

Lackey, 36, was one of the more sought after pitchers at the trading deadline in 2014, largely because of the $500,000 option in his contract for 2015. The option was a clause in the five year, $82.5 million contract that he signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2010 season. The deal contained language that provided a sixth year option, valued at the league minimum, should Lackey miss significant time due to an elbow injury. Lackey underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012, thus invoking the clause.

With the option being a huge motivating factor, the Cardinals were willing to part with young pitcher Joe Kelly and their 2011 World Series hero Allen Craig to acquire Lackey. Overall, Lackey did not pitch as well with St. Louis as the team had hoped in his 10 starts, pitching to a record of 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 60.2 innings. In 21 starts with Boston, Lackey had an 11-7 record with a 3.60 ERA in 137.1 innings. Overall on the season, Lackey was 14-10 with a 3.83 ERA.

With question marks surrounding the back end of the Cardinals rotation, Lackey figures to be a stabilizing, veteran presence to eat innings and put the team in a great position to win.  With perennial Cy-Young award winner Adam Wainwright and the young Michael Wacha slotted in the 1-2 slots, Lackey figures to be their number 3 at this point in time.