Giants interested in John Lackey

The San Francisco Giants have interest in free agent right-hander John Lackey, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported Tuesday afternoon. 

Lackey would help add depth to the Giants' rotation that currently consists of the likes of Madison Bumgarner, Jake Peavy, Matt Cain, and Chris Heston.

The team has been rumored to be in on many of the top starters on the market, including Zack Grienke. 

Lackey would be an interesting add to a Giants' team, but he surely cannot be counted on to be a long-term solution. The 37-year-old was really good last year. It is hard to know, however, how many years he has left in the tank.

In 2015, while with the Cardinals, Lackey went 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA in 218 innings, striking out 175 and walking 53, registering a 3.57 FIP. Lackey has a 3.35 ERA over the past three years. 

St. Louis extended Lackey a qualifying offer, meaning that if he signs elsewhere, the other team will be required to give up their top, unprotected draft selection. 

The Giants are likely just doing their due diligence here, but if they cannot land one of the elite starting pitchers on the free agent market this offseason, Lackey could turn into a prime target. 

The Cardinals, Cubs, and Red Sox have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Lackey this offseason. 

​--Devan Fink

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