Los Angeles Angels ace John Lackey may be close to signing a five year, $85 million deal to join the Boston rotation,according to several media reports breaking this afternoon.

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman is reporting that the pitcher has agreed to that deal, though an official announcement may not come until later in the week. If so, Lackey would be a powerhouse addition to a pitching staff that already ranks among the best in the business. Lackey

The Journal reported before last week's Winter Meetings that Lackey was on the Red Sox radar, but little seemed to come of it at the Indianapolis meetings themselves.

This morning, Ed Price of AOL-Fanhouse said that the free agent starter had a physical with Boston today, normally a sign that a player is ready to sign a deal. Lackey has had elbow and triceps trouble in his throwing arm over the past few seasons, requiring two trips to the disabled list. But he is a huge (6'6") powerfully built 31-year-old pitcher, and if the arm problems are behind him he could be a strong addition to the Boston staff.

The deal is similar to the $82 million deal that A.J. Burnett signed with the Yankees before last season, and would mark the rare occasion that the Red Sox go to a fifth year.

Adding Lackey to a Red Sox rotation featuring Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz would make the group, on paper, potentially the best in the majors. In Beckett, Lackey, and Buchholz, the Sox would have also cornered the market on big Texan righties. Rosenthal also said that the Sox are trying to sign Beckett to an extension.

Many would immediately speculate that adding Lackey would mean the departure of Buchholz, however, potentially in a deal to San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez. Every indication has been that San Diego would also require one of Boston's blue-chip prospects (pitcher Casey Kelly, outfielder Ryan Westmoreland) in any Gonzalez deal, however, and the Red Sox have thus far been loathe to part with either player.

Lackey compiled an 11-8 record with a 3.83 ERA in 176 innings in 2009, after starting the season on the disabled list with elbow soreness. His 2008 season was also shortened by injury, but before that, he had put up five years of at least 198 innings pitched.

His best season was 2007, when he won 19 games and posted a 3.01 ERA. Lackey has a reputation for being a poor pitcher at Fenway Park, but his last few games there have been strong. In his last meeting with the Sox, Game 1 of the American League Division Series in Anaheim this October, he absolutely carved up the Boston lineup, starting the Angels towards their round 1 sweep.

If Lackey does sign, that might reduce the chances that the Sox would bring back Jason Bay. In the last few days, the Sox have made it clear that they don't plan to go much above four years, $65 million for the time being -- and Bay's agent has been equally clear that there are other suitors. Committing this money to Lackey could push that rift wider.

Lackey is a Type A free agent, and the Red Sox have already signed one of those in Toronto shortstop Marco Scutaro. Signing a Type A means a team loses its first round pick in the upcoming draft. If Lackey is signed, Boston would send its first rounder to the Angels, while the Blue Jays would receive Boston's second round pick.

The Mariners, Blue Jays and Phillies are also reportedly working on a blockbuster deal that would send Roy Halladay to Philadelphia and Cliff Lee to Seattle.