The Jon Lester Discussion Thread

[Boobaby1]

Don't get me wrong here. I didn't say I would go 6/180, just that they could. It would not be the greatest business sense in the world.

That said. I would kick the tires on adding a 7th year in the form of optoions stating that Lester will be performing above par levels in years 5 and 6 though. That would put the figure closer to 7/160 which I would think Lester would accept. This way, the Cubs are still only on the hook for 6 years, and if he is still pitching decently, all is not a total waste as he might then be a #4 or #5 in the rotation, and the Cubs will already have their WS under their belt.

How's that for optimism?

 

[CSF77]

Ryan Dempster, who joined the Cubs‘ front office today, has been in contact with Lester and talked up how great it is to pitch with the Cubs, writes ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers. A source familiar with the Lester negotiations told Rogers that reports indicating a $130-140MM offer from the Cubs are actually low. Lester is expected to top $150MM, Rogers writes, and if a team “blows past” that number by adding a seventh year or bidding $160-170MM, Chicago is likely to bow out of the race.

 

[SilenceS]

Where have this 50 or 60 pitches and he falls apart come from? He was pitching 80 plus pitches a game. He shoulder soreness and they went cautious. Yes, his durability is a question but it isnt because of present stuff. His durability is an issue because of his weight for the future. He is TOR material. His durability needs to be proven. We will find out about it. ****, Pedro was like 170 to 180 pounds when he first came into the league and he turned out fine. Stop putting restrictions on a player when we have no idea how the organization was using him. He was put on the 40 man roster for a reason. There is a reason when the trade happened that Nolan Ryan mentioned he hated losing CJ Edwards. We live in a age where they hire people to strengthen guys. Has anyone actually seen CJ Edwards pitch? Its fucking gorgeous to watch. He stands out from any other pitcher in the Cubs org when he pitches. He could wind up being a closer, but because they were cautious with his shoulder last year doesnt mean he is broken goods.

 

[CSF77]

Where have this 50 or 60 pitches and he falls apart come from? He was pitching 80 plus pitches a game. He shoulder soreness and they went cautious. Yes, his durability is a question but it isnt because of present stuff. His durability is an issue because of his weight for the future. He is TOR material. His durability needs to be proven. We will find out about it. ****, Pedro was like 170 to 180 pounds when he first came into the league and he turned out fine. Stop putting restrictions on a player when we have no idea how the organization was using him. He was put on the 40 man roster for a reason. There is a reason when the trade happened that Nolan Ryan mentioned he hated losing CJ Edwards. We live in a age where they hire people to strengthen guys. Has anyone actually seen CJ Edwards pitch? Its fucking gorgeous to watch. He stands out from any other pitcher in the Cubs org when he pitches. He could wind up being a closer, but because they were cautious with his shoulder last year doesnt mean he is broken goods.

think this shoud going the prospect thread.

 

[SilenceS]

think this shoud going the prospect thread.

I do what I want on this board. Better Recognize! lol

 

[DewsSox79]

hendry visited him in atl this weekend. not sure at all where he signs. 150 mil or more is insane.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

 

[Jntg4]

hendry visited him in atl this weekend. not sure at all where he signs. 150 mil or more is insane.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

96 years at $69 million per

 

[SilenceS]

I am reading that the Cubs offer is over 140 million now for six years. Some believe the Dodgers have made a 150 million dollar bid. Also, reports are the Cubs have soft cap of 155 million on Lester. The Dodgers may be willing to go up to 175 million. Its getting pretty outrageous now.

 

[chibears55]

I am reading that the Cubs offer is over 140 million now for six years. Some believe the Dodgers have made a 150 million dollar bid. Also, reports are the Cubs have soft cap of 155 million on Lester. The Dodgers may be willing to go up to 175 million. Its getting pretty outrageous now.

If dodgers want to give him 6/175 they can have him..
At that point if cubs were going to go that high they might as well offer scherzer 6/180...

 

[DewsSox79]

If dodgers want to give him 6/175 they can have him..
At that point if cubs were going to go that high they might as well offer scherzer 6/180...

scherzer will go over 6/180


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

 

[SilenceS]

scherzer will go over 6/180


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

Im not worried about going after Scherzer. We wont be serious players for him, IMO. I am more worried that if the Lester deal keeps getting so wild then guys like Shields, Liriano, etc. etc. etc. are going to command more then teams should pay because Lester set the market.

 

[Boobaby1]

Im not worried about going after Scherzer. We wont be serious players for him, IMO. I am more worried that if the Lester deal keeps getting so wild then guys like Shields, Liriano, etc. etc. etc. are going to command more then teams should pay because Lester set the market.

I am not sure it will matter that much.

The fact that the remaining players (second tier pitchers) won't demand the years makes it easier on the wallet.

Plus, the crop going into next year will have teams on the cusp of signing someone, or that secondary someone like the Cubs (assuming they sign at least one) holding off until the deadline or waiting until next year.

I would like to see the Cubs land Lester for another reason. Maybe it would prompt the Red Sox to trade off their surplus of currency to the Phillies for Hamels. I'd rather they do it, than the Cubs, even though it is rumored that the Cubs won't trade out a bunch of players, especially if they land him.

I think that is why the Cubs are going so high on Lester. He really means that much in putting a TOR pitcher in the line-up without forfeiture of the prospect possibility. Sometimes you just have to hedge on future revenues to know that it won't hurt badly even if they underperform in the latter years of the contract.

 

[DewsSox79]

Im not worried about going after Scherzer. We wont be serious players for him, IMO. I am more worried that if the Lester deal keeps getting so wild then guys like Shields, Liriano, etc. etc. etc. are going to command more then teams should pay because Lester set the market.

its going to be out of control. these 2nd tier guys who would slot nicely as a 3/4 are now probably going to get paid more and more years attached. this lester thing kinda fucked a lot of teams. and if you want to trade its going to cost more than usual. it would have been nice to see him jump on the cubs or red sox but now with the dodgers who knows what the market will be. it is getting out of hand though. if this drags out its going to be a dull winter meetings week.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

 

[4SidedDie]

Let him to wherever if he doesn't want to win long term, simple.

 

[Boobaby1]

its going to be out of control. these 2nd tier guys who would slot nicely as a 3/4 are now probably going to get paid more and more years attached. this lester thing kinda fucked a lot of teams. and if you want to trade its going to cost more than usual. it would have been nice to see him jump on the cubs or red sox but now with the dodgers who knows what the market will be. it is getting out of hand though. if this drags out its going to be a dull winter meetings week.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

It won't be dull. Just watch. Someone like Lester will sign, and it will kick start everything.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is being told not to sign until the winter meetings. How much more does he think he can make by waiting longer?

What better time to have your fellow brothers getting paid handsomely, and to promote baseball when they aren't even playing the game.

I don't know too many sports where the rumor mill is followed so closely, and 95% of the time they are not accurate at all, but people still continue to take a looksee.

Who the hell writes this stuff anyways? :thinking:

 

[TC in Mississippi]

A few points:

1. The tea leaves are pointing to Boston on Lester. John Henry flew to Atlanta yesterday for a final pitch and I've been convinced all along that the Red Sox would land him if it's close. If Boston's final offer is 6/148 and the Cubs are 6/155 he goes back East. I've never believed the Dodgers were more than smoke in this and the Giants with three WS wins in five years don't need to get in a bidding war.

2. I'm not sure Shields is the beneficiary of the higher bids on Lester or even Scherzer. He's an older pitcher who performed poorly in a playoff run. It hurts him. If he wants years he might get 4 from someone but probably 4/68 while he could probably get 3/60. If I'm Shields I take the three and bet on myself. Even if he's a back end starter after 2017 that value looks like it could be pretty high then, maybe $10 million per. Again if someone's aggressive they'll get him on a 3 year deal at a slight overpay. He fits the Cardinals to be honest and if I'm Chicago I keep that from happening. If it's another team I don't think they'd be interested.

3. Liriano could very well benefit from a huge Lester deal. He' has a bust quotient but could be solid 3 in a good rotation. Someone might give him 5 years at the right price. LH pitching is worth more over 30 than RH pitching so it helps him.

4. Scherzer is a weird case. No way would I pay him the numbers that are being thrown around for a RH pitcher over 30. He's going to get it though and that's not great for the game. If he gets 30 per this season Price, barring injury in 2015, gets $32 per next year.

 

[Boobaby1]

A few points:

1. The tea leaves are pointing to Boston on Lester. John Henry flew to Atlanta yesterday for a final pitch and I've been convinced all along that the Red Sox would land him if it's close. If Boston's final offer is 6/148 and the Cubs are 6/155 he goes back East. I've never believed the Dodgers were more than smoke in this and the Giants with three WS wins in five years don't need to get in a bidding war.

2. I'm not sure Shields is the beneficiary of the higher bids on Lester or even Scherzer. He's an older pitcher who performed poorly in a playoff run. It hurts him. If he wants years he might get 4 from someone but probably 4/68 while he could probably get 3/60. If I'm Shields I take the three and bet on myself. Even if he's a back end starter after 2017 that value looks like it could be pretty high then, maybe $10 million per. Again if someone's aggressive they'll get him on a 3 year deal at a slight overpay. He fits the Cardinals to be honest and if I'm Chicago I keep that from happening. If it's another team I don't think they'd be interested.

3. Liriano could very well benefit from a huge Lester deal. He' has a bust quotient but could be solid 3 in a good rotation. Someone might give him 5 years at the right price. LH pitching is worth more over 30 than RH pitching so it helps him.

4. Scherzer is a weird case. No way would I pay him the numbers that are being thrown around for a RH pitcher over 30. He's going to get it though and that's not great for the game. If he gets 30 per this season Price, barring injury in 2015, gets $32 per next year.

Buzz killer! :lol:

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Buzz killer! :lol:

Ha! Actually I think the Cubs still have a solid chance at Lester if they're willing to go 7 because I just don't think Boston will. If they've locked down on 6 I just don't see them getting him from a team that wants him that badly.

 

[SilenceS]

Cubs may have upped their offer to over 140 million. They are still pushing hard. People Weds. could be the target date to sign. People still think its between Red Sox and Cubs.

 

[DewsSox79]

Ha! Actually I think the Cubs still have a solid chance at Lester if they're willing to go 7 because I just don't think Boston will. If they've locked down on 6 I just don't see them getting him from a team that wants him that badly.

the dodgers probably would. 7 years is just dumb.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk