The Angels "remain heavily in the mix" for John Lackey, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says the Angels' renewed their efforts to re-sign Lackey at the behest of owner Arte Moreno, though GM Tony Reagins denied any change in the team's course.
Rosenthal lays out three other factors that might be motivating the Angels to consider re-upping Lackey: an unappealing asking price for Roy Halladay, uncertainty with Scott Kazmir, and the Mariners' interest in Lackey.
If the Angels do allow Lackey to leave, they'll gain two draft picks as compensation. A couple of big-market clubs might be out of the Lackey bidding – Gordon Edes recently wrote that Lackey is not a Red Sox target, and Bill Shaikin said the Dodgers won't be in pursuit. The New York teams haven't been ruled out, while the Nationals and Brewers could be dark horses.
