hmmm, maybe we should go after AJ Burnett then? then again maybe not.maufman said:I'm not sure I buy into the notion that being able to pitch in Boston is some sort of "ability" -- a year ago, people who believed in this supposed ability cited John Lackey as a prime example of someone who lacked it.
I do, however, strongly believe that a club invariably knows more about its own players, and particularly its own pitchers, than it knows about players on other teams. If the FO is bullish on Lester's ability to maintain his health and performance level as he ages, that's an excellent reason to pay a premium price to extend him.
A year ago John Lackey was getting surgery.
Besides having to pitch in the AL East in a hitters park for half your games, I do believe there is an added 'pressure' in playing for the Red Sox over every other team in baseball (except probably the MFY). Some guys just don't thrive playing under the microscope of Red Sox baseball (see Renteria, Crawford), and I think the front office now looks for guys that will embrace/enjoy playing in the spotlight.