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The Boston Red Sox have reached a tentative deal with right-handed pitcher John Lackey, pending a physical, on a deal worth slightly more than the five-year, $82.5 million dollar deal A.J. Burnett signed with the New York Yankees last year, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

Lackey traveled to Boston for a physical exam Monday, fueling speculation that a deal was near.

Specific details weren't available, but the Red Sox's heightened pursuit of Lackey came after reports that Boston is fading in its efforts to retain free-agent outfielder Jason Bay.

Lackey, 31, is 102-71 with a 3.81 ERA in eight seasons with the Angels, and he would join Josh Beckett and Jon Lester at the top of a powerhouse rotation in Boston. The Mariners, Angels and Mets are among the other teams interested in signing Lackey.

Entering the offseason, it was believed that Lackey would use A.J. Burnett's five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees as a benchmark, but industry estimates of his potential haul have ranged from $60 million to $100 million.

There were reports that Lackey declined a $72 million offer earlier this year from the Angels, but his representatives have since characterized those reports as untrue.

Lackey shut out the Red Sox through 7 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the AL Division Series and nearly no-hit Boston in 2008, but in nine career regular-season starts at Fenway Park, he is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA.

Bay turned down Boston's latest contract offer late last week and was ready to "move on" from Boston, according to his agent, Joe Urbon. The Red Sox have no intention of offering Bay a five-year deal, a source told ESPNBoston.com.

Also still up in the air is the status of third baseman Mike Lowell, who will undergo a physical for the Rangers this week, a source told EPSNDallas.com, as the Red Sox and Rangers continue to evaluate a proposed trade that would send Lowell to Texas and catcher Max Ramirez to Boston.

Relentless88 wrote:Good deal for BoSox. Trio of Lackey/Beckett/Lester might be better than Sabathia/Burnett/Pettite.

Wade2k6 wrote:

Relentless88 wrote:Good deal for BoSox. Trio of Lackey/Beckett/Lester might be better than Sabathia/Burnett/Pettite.

I'd say it is better, but I'd take the Yankees offense and bullpen over the Sox. Either way, good move for the Sox the next year or 2.

cold5 wrote:Matt Holliday land there too.

HCYanks wrote:Jacoby Ellsbury, starting left fielder. That's going to be funny to watch.

sunshinekids99 wrote:

HCYanks wrote:Jacoby Ellsbury, starting left fielder. That's going to be funny to watch.

Funnier than Manny Ramirez or Jason Bay? Ellsbury will be fine in left field and actually played it well in a limited time he played there in the past.

HCYanks wrote:

sunshinekids99 wrote:

HCYanks wrote:Jacoby Ellsbury, starting left fielder. That's going to be funny to watch.

Funnier than Manny Ramirez or Jason Bay? Ellsbury will be fine in left field and actually played it well in a limited time he played there in the past.

Not in the defensive sense, just in that he really isn't a good enough hitter to be an adequate starting corner outfielder. Teams have rolled out worse out there, but it's odd to see a team like the Red Sox do it. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

That said, he's not a particularly great defender--not yet anyway. He's a speedy guy who can dive for flyballs but not run good routes. It's kind of hysterical how a bunch of media outlets are assuming Cameron will play left when he's the better defensive player.

greenbeans wrote:There's still a slight possibility they move Ellsbury in a deal for a 1b/3b bat, play Cameron in center and try to resign Bay.
I'd prefer they use Clay in place of Jacoby, but they need a bat, because the team as it is isn't getting it done offensively.