The Red Sox and John Lackey are still apparently working out some of that tricky "contract language," but in the meantime, they went ahead and officially introduced him as Boston's newest pitcher Wednesday.
"This is a significant addition to our pitching staff," said general manager Theo Epstein of Lackey, a one-time All-Star who finished third in 2007 AL Cy Young award voting. "And we expect him to be for a long time coming."
Lackey, who will wear No. 40, said he is excited to not only be joining the Red Sox, but also to have the chance to pitch in Fenway Park (and stadium about which he once said, "they should blow this [expletive] place up").
"Obviously, I've been here for some big games," said Lackey, who has made four postseason starts against the Red Sox and pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the American League Division Series in October, setting the tone for an Angels sweep. "I'm here to win. The bottom line is that I've always had a lot of respect for this organization from the other side. Winning is the biggest thing for me and I know the organization has a great chance to do that. Hopefully, I can help."