What's considered "veteran" status in Major League Baseball? I think it's five years of service, since the "veteran's consent" rule is based on that amount of time. Regardless of the official meaning of the term, would you consider Jon Lester a "veteran"? Or Dice-K, who only has two years of service on the starboard side of the Peaceful Pond?

Because this article says they both are veterans. Here's the line:

"The Red Sox signed free agent Brad Penny, giving them five veteran starting pitchers in Penny, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield..."

All I can think of is that he considers anyone who isn't a rookie "a veteran." But even if you wanna consider Dice a vet due to his time in the Japanese league, I don't know anyone who looks at Lester and thinks "veteran."

(Note that that story also brings up the Lowe issue--some say the Mets will definitely get him. Some say they definitely won't. Some say they'll up their offer. Some say the won't. What's the point? Don't people realize that if one anonymous source says one thing and another says the opposite, that it's probably not a good idea to be believing these people? I'd like to see an anonymous source debate. The two sides could wear ski masks and argue over their individual perceptions of what was told to them in confidence. But no reporters would be allowed in--just other anonymous sources.)