The Cardinals exercised their 2015 option on starting pitcher John Lackey, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Red Sox in the trade that sent Allen Craig and Joe Kelly to Boston. Lackey will honor his contract, which included a provision that kicked into effect due to previous injuries, and pitch at league minimum for the Cardinals in 2015, something that made him a very attractive option when acquired at the trade deadline this past year. Read more about the easy decision and how Lackey fits in with the club next year at cardinals.com and stltoday.com.

Chris Brown, St. Louis Baseball Today