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Red Sox Sign John Lackey to 5-year Deal

Multiple sources are reporting the Red Sox have agreed in principle to sign free agent pitcher John Lackey to a five-year deal worth around the same dollars as A.J. Burnett’s contract with the Yankees signed last year (which was $82.5 million). News broke earlier that the Sox had administered a physical with Lackey, which gave way to rumors of an impending deal.

Lackey is 31 years old and posted a 3.83 ERA last year for the Angels. It’s worth mentioning that while Lackey was considered to be the best free agent pitcher on the market by far, he’s struggled during his career at Fenway Park. In nine starts there, Lackey is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA.

Fans should remember, however, how Lackey has done against the Red Sox lately. This past postseason, Lackey shut down the Sox over 7 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS, and in 2008 he nearly no-hit the Sox at Fenway. Hey Theo, if you can’t beat him; sign him!

Stay with Sports of Boston for more analysis on the Lackey deal later on tonight.

Tags: John Lackey, Red Sox