FORT MYERS, Fla. — According to a major league source, the Mets viewed John Lackey as a bigger medical risk to sign at five years than they did committing to Jason Bay at four.

It should be noted that the Mets did have strong interest in Lackey when the Red Sox got the pitcher to commit to a five-year, $82.5 million deal. Bay ultimately inked a four-year contract with the Mets worth $64 million, that includes a fifth-year vesting option.

Lackey’s contract with the Red Sox includes medical contingencies that protect the team against the pitcher missing significant time with a pre-existing elbow injury. The Sox’ concerns with Bay mostly revolved around the outfielder’s knees, which the Mets didn’t deem enough of a concern to prevent a deal.

“We liked Lackey,” said Mets general manager Omar Minaya during his team’s game with the Red Sox, Thursday. “We thought Lackey was probably the best starting pitcher out there. As for as Bay, we thought we needed a power hitter. Give Boston credit, they were aggressive. At the time of the winter meetings we talked to both of them and they were very aggressive going after Lackey. I’ll give them credit. They liked the guy, they went after him right away.”

As for how Bay felt about the Red Sox’ signing of Lackey …

“You look at it now and it’s genius,” Bay said Thursday. “Look at that pitching staff and it’s ridiculous. But at the time it didn’t look like there was a need. But it was a great move.

“It surprised me because you hear all the stuff that goes on and his name wasn’t connected with the Red Sox and then all of a sudden, boom, done. Usually people get wind of things like that. They’re good at doing their own thing, but of all the team he was rumored to go to, then it was the Red Sox.”

Minaya also said that the hestiancy the Red Sox had regarding Bay’s defense were not an issue for New York.

“I was not concerned,” Minaya said. “We had seen him in the National League. We didn’t see what people were talking about. I can understand it. When you play left field at Fenway Park it’s not easy. Guys can look back at that left field wall. “

For the complete story of how Bay felt about the Red Sox’ commitment to Lackey click here.

5 Comments for “Mets viewed Lackey a bigger health risk than Bay”

1. Curtis Says:
   March 12th, 2010 at 10:46 am

   Not concerned about his defense? Minaya is an idiot and probably the worst GM in baseball.

2. LongLiveFixaris.com Says:
   March 12th, 2010 at 11:10 am

   This just makes me feel that much better about the Lackey deal and the Red Sox staff in general, and I already felt pretty good about both.

   The Mets saying they had injury/medical concerns about Lackey doesn’t worry me at all. This is the same front office that was unconcerned (or at least less concerned than Boston) about giving Pedro Martinez and his fragile shoulder four years back in 2005. I think we know who turned out correct in being worried about getting four healthy years out of him.

3. AlD Says:
   March 12th, 2010 at 11:18 am

   The Mets recent track record with player injuries speaks for it’s self. Their two biggest stars have been handled abysmally. Their medical staff is a joke.

4. dave Says:
   March 12th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

   “Minaya also said that the hestiancy the Red Sox had regarding Bay’s defense were not an issue for New York.

   “I was not concerned,” Minaya said. “We had seen him in the National League. We didn’t see what people were talking about.”

   Um, Omar….. that’s why we use these weird, crazy things called STATS like RANGE and UZR to analyze and reveal things that the eye cannot see. You keep going on with your no-stats approach, though, Minaya….seems to be working so well for you so far.

   (Thanks God again for Theo).

5. Voice of confusion Says:
   March 12th, 2010 at 3:55 pm

   The Red Sox medical staff is a bigger joke look at Lowell. As far as the Mets choice Bay or Lackey.The Mets made the right choice. This is something i wish these smart baseball fans of the red sox would comment on which nobody has. Lackey won 11 games in 2009 and lost 8 in those 11 wins he beat a team with a winning record 3 times. Does that concern anybody? He is so overrated, Javier Vasquez of the Yankees will have a better year then him by a long shot. He will end up on the DL at some point during the year. 11 wins is worth 15 million a year, Lester is going to command 18 million a year. What about Beckett? 16 million? There pitching staff will cost them about 60 or so million a year in a couple of years, maybe more. Good luck with that.

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