Angels exercise options on Guerrero, Lackey

Oct 28, 2008 - 7:17 PM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday announced they will exercise the 2009 contract options on slugger Vladimir Guerrero and ace John Lackey.

Guerrero, 32, will earn $15 million next year. Last season, the outfielder batted .303 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI in 143 games - the 11th consecutive season he logged a .300 average and at least 25 home runs.

An eight-time All-Star, Guerrero owns a club-best .323 average in five seasons with the Angels. He is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on the medial meniscus in his left knee on October 10.

Lackey, 30, will earn $9 million in 2009 after posting a 12-5 record with a 3.75 ERA in 23 starts last season. In his career, the 2007 All-Star is 91-63 with 13 complete games, seven shutouts and a 3.81 ERA.

Also on Tuesday, the Angels declined the $14 million option on veteran outfielder Garret Anderson for next season.

Anderson, 36, batted .293 with 15 home runs and 84 RBI in 145 games last season - his 14th with the Angels.

A three-time All-Star, Anderson ranks as the Angels' all-time leader in several categories, including games (2,013), runs (1,024), hits (2,368), doubles (489), total bases (3,743) and RBI (1,292).

Additionally, the Angels announced that outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and catcher Mike Napoli will undergo surgeries this week.

Matthews, 34, will have surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee on Tuesday. He posted a .242 average with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 127 games last season.

Napoli will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Friday. In 2008, he split catching duties with Jeff Mathis and made 71 starts behind the plate, batting .273 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI.