The good news is John Lackey has this year guaranteed with us at 7 million . The club has an option for 2009 at 9 million. Seems like a pretty damn good deal to me. But in the wake of recent signing the past few years;

1. Santana - 23 million per
   
2. Zambrano - 18.3 million per
   
3. Zito - 18 million per

and then the bargains;

1. Lackey - 7-9 million per
   
2. Escobar - 9 million per
   
3. Beckett - 10 million per
   
4. Halladay - 13 million per

Now I guess my question is in 2010 when Lackey becomes a free agent (barring we don't extend him before that), what dictates a players value, previous contracts in history or the current availability of a pitcher of their caliber? John Lackey is as good as Carlos Zambrano, better than Barry Zito. Not better than Beckett, Santana, or Halladay. Can we expect Big John to ask for a 18 or 20 million per? When he becomes a free agent, he'll only be 31 years old. Is he worth that kind of money? Or, is he worth keeping from other clubs  and also based on the fact that we can't afford to not have a pitcher of his caliber throwing the ball for us?

Vlad will be 33 when next year starts, and he is a free agent. Is he worth 18-25 million per as I expect him to ask for??? Or like John, pay him because we can't afford to not have him?