I bring this up now because everywhere I read, John Lackey comes out as the clear cut #1 pitcher to be a free agent during the 2009-2010 free agency period. Not only is he the #1 pitching free agent, but teams are mentioned that may be vying for his services. Namely, the Angels, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Orioles, Rangers, Red Sox, and the Yankees. Some of these teams have very deep pockets, and there are very few are type A (In other words, that talented) pitchers like Lackey.

I was also reading about Brandon Webb, and his option possibly not being picked up by the Diamondbacks this winter due to his injured shoulder.

http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090922&content_id=7100104&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

I understand wanting to know if a pitcher would be healthy prior to picking up a $8.5M option. But that still seems well below market value for a pitcher of his caliber. He has already had the surgery on August 3rd, and appears to be motivated to get healthy, stick to a training program, pitch at a high level again. Now, the Diamondbacks don't have the same money available that the Angels do, so my question to HH is, do you think Webb would be a solid plan B (If Brandon Webb's option is not picked up), if we cannot sign Lackey?