Lackey, 37, went 13-10 with a career-low 2.77 ERA last year as a part of the Cardinals’ MLB-best pitching staff. Lackey has already gone on record saying he’d like to stay in the National League, leaving many to believe the Giants and Cubs are the front runners.
The veteran right-hander rejected a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from St. Louis, which means his free agency is tied to draft pick compensation. But Lackey owns a 165-127 career record with a 3.92 ERA, so contenders likely won’t be turned off by the loss of a pick.
