What It Means:

Rosenthal notes that the Giants are examining a "wide range of options." They are seen as a threat to land Zack Greinke, but Lackey would be a fine fallback. He turned 37 in October, but should be able to land a two- or three-year deal in free agency.

The veteran right-hander had a career-best 2.77 ERA across 33 starts this past season. His advanced stats didn't quite match up as his 3.77 xFIP suggests his ERA should have been a full run higher. Lackey benefitted from a career-best 82.6 percent strand rate, which ranked second in the league and is unsustainable.