Angels to exercise options on Guerrero, Lackey

[October 29, 2008]  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels will exercise their 2009 options on outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and pitcher John Lackey, but will decline their option on outfielder Garret Anderson.

The 32-year-old Guerrero, an eight-time All-Star who batted .303 with 27 homers and 91 RBIs this season, will earn $15 million next year. He had a $3 million buyout. Guerrero has hit at least .300 with 25 or more home runs in 11 straight seasons, joining Lou Gehrig as the only two players in major league history to accomplish that feat.

In six seasons with the Montreal Expos and five with the Angels, Guerrero is hitting .323 with 2,136 hits, 392 homers and 1,268 RBIs in 1,750 games. He had surgery on the medial meniscus in his left knee Oct. 10 but is expected to be ready for spring training.

Lackey was 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA this season. Originally selected in the second round of the 1999 free agent draft, the 30-year-old has a 91-63 career record with a 3.81 ERA. He will earn $9 million in 2009. The Angels could have bought out his contract for $500,000.

The 36-year-old Anderson, whose option price was $14 million, will receive a $3 million buyout and become eligible for free agency. Anderson hit .293 with 15 homers and 84 RBIs in 145 games this season.

A three-time All-Star, Anderson has spent his entire career with the Angels and holds several franchise records, including games played (2,013), runs scored (1,024), hits (2,368), doubles (489), total bases (3,743) and RBIs (1,292). He ranks second in home runs (272) and career batting average (.296).

The Angels also announced that 34-year-old outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. will have surgery Tuesday to repair the patella tendon in his left knee, and catcher Mike Napoli will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Friday -- his 27th birthday.

[Associated Press]

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