Lackey: It's GONNA be about the money

Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun.

Lackey has made it clear from the day he arrived in camp that he is keenly aware of where the market for premium starting pitchers has gone, having studied intently the signings of CC Sabathia (seven years, $161 million), A.J. Burnett (five years, $82.5 million) and Derek Lowe (four years, $60 million) over the winter.

Lackey considers himself a cut above Burnett -- and the numbers support that belief -- so it generally is believed he's seeking at least what Burnett drew from the Yankees.

Not that long ago I professed my love for and admiration of John Lackey. Some team is going to go hog wild for Lackey and give him a whopper of a contract. And it seems that it will be totally about the money, as it always is.