Don't get too alarmed (or excited?), but the John Lackey deal has yet to be finalzed because of "contract language" in regards to any pre-existing injury:
The Red Sox and Steve Hilliard, the agent for pitcher John Lackey, are in the final stages of finalizing a five-year, $82.5-million contract, but it's being held up as the sides work out language that would protect the Red Sox from a pre-existing medical issue.
It is a similar situation to when the Red Sox signed J.D. Drew as a free agent after the 2007 season. Language was inserted in his contract that protected the Red Sox from a pre-existing right shoulder injury. He eventually signed a five-year, $70-million deal.
I honestly don't think it will stop the deal from happening, though. We're not talking about Mike Lowell after all.
My favorite part of this story is when Nick Cafardo labels Lackey as a "durable veteran," despite the whole post being about his injury history.
Lackey started the last two seasons on the disabled list, but the five years prior, he averaged more than 210 innings per season.