The Jon Lester Discussion Thread

[SilenceS]

Buster Olney reported Tuesday morning “Lester walked away from his meeting with Chicago very impressed with the Cubs.” Olney still sees the Cubs as the favorites to land Jon Lester once he’s received the final bids. Olney added he does not think “the Red Sox will get a hometown discount,” and Lester “will sign with the team that offers the most money.”

PrintThe Cubs are believed to have the highest offer on the table to Jon Lester, six years and $138 million, with Boston possibly increasing its bid to six years and $130 million. Multiple reports have suggested Lester will end up with at least the contract Zack Greinke received (six years, $147 million) but by the time the Cubs and Red Sox extend their offers, he could be looking at least a six-year, $150 million contract ($25 million AAV).

It has not been leaked if the Giants made an offer to Lester during their meeting with the southpaw in Atlanta on Monday. Bruce Bochy was part of the sit down at Lester’s home. Henry Schulman reported it is unknown if Giants GM Brian Sabean or team president Larry Baer were with Bochy.

Questions have popped up about the Giants willingness to pay what it would take to sign Lester. The Barry Zito contract (seven years, $126 million) made the Giants’ brass leary of signing a player outside the organization to a “such a long-term investment” according to Schulman.

Not only did the Tribune confirm the numbers for Lester that Jon Heyman reported ($23 million AAV), but Mark Gonzales indicated part of the Cubs pitch to Lester was “reinforcing their plans for team success and personal comfort.” Lester could “be one of the centerpieces of the Cubs’ promising future in a soon-to-be-full renovated Wrigley Field, pitching in the National League, spending Spring Training in a state-of-the-art facility and even being assured of one trip near his Atlanta-area home when the Cubs play the Braves.”
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There is a growing feeling the Yankees will get in the mix for Lester and according to reports Monday, Jon Lester will talk to at least two more teams this week. It is unknown which clubs will try to speak with Lester before he finishes gathering information and makes a decision

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archiv...-left-meeting-impressed-cubs.php#.VH6jDskw-NM

 

[SilenceS]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN Dec 1

Only a guess, but at this moment -- and offers change -- I'd handicap the race for Lester this way: 1. Cubs 2. Red Sox 3. Others.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I think his arm has just caught up to him.

Edwin Jackson has been known as an 'innings eater' his whole career. Not a 1 or 2, heck not even a 3 in a good rotation. He was the guy day 4 or 5 you throw out there and he throws 120 pitches and gives the bullpen a rest. 2006-2012 he was ridden like a horse and since modern day baseball is nothing like the days of old, and teams give pitch counts and innings counts--it's caught up to him.

Samarzdija was a late bloomer, played football till 23-24 then devoted full time to pitching to save his body. Arrieta may be too after some years of suckage/getting hammered in a good division.

I'd like to see him start doing something Dave Duncan-esque. I'll settle for one developed, legit ace.

But otherwise, what Righetti has done in San Fran, that's remarkable. Maddux too. Cooper has made some real good arms on the south side too. I wouldn't be surprised when Rodon and Sale become the next Mulder and Zito like young talents.

Of course, pitching to anyone not named Abreau on that team is an easy out.

As a whole I think coaching in the major leagues is overrated with a few exceptions, young players just up, players discovering their game again after injury and pitching coaches. It's not hard to spot the good ones because pitchers seem to develop new pitches and improve their games under them. Cubs are lucky to have Bosio. So far he's literally created value where there was none. When you have to pay top pitching the kind of dollars that Lester and others are getting a good pitching coach is almost a necessity to help those guys maintain and to develop guys making less money to balance their salaries. They take guys nobody wants and develop them into solid rotation guys. Obviously Bosio has done that with Arietta, Hammell and others. You mention Don Cooper who's done that recently with Jose Quintana who the Yankees didn't feel was a major league pitcher. That ability matters.

 

[brett05]

I think his arm has just caught up to him.

Edwin Jackson has been known as an 'innings eater' his whole career. Not a 1 or 2, heck not even a 3 in a good rotation. He was the guy day 4 or 5 you throw out there and he throws 120 pitches and gives the bullpen a rest. 2006-2012 he was ridden like a horse and since modern day baseball is nothing like the days of old, and teams give pitch counts and innings counts--it's caught up to him.

Samarzdija was a late bloomer, played football till 23-24 then devoted full time to pitching to save his body. Arrieta may be too after some years of suckage/getting hammered in a good division.

I'd like to see him start doing something Dave Duncan-esque. I'll settle for one developed, legit ace.

But otherwise, what Righetti has done in San Fran, that's remarkable. Maddux too. Cooper has made some real good arms on the south side too. I wouldn't be surprised when Rodon and Sale become the next Mulder and Zito like young talents.

Of course, pitching to anyone not named Abreau on that team is an easy out.

Great post until the bolded

:aj:

 

[JimJohnson]

Feel free to tell me if I'm being fucking nuts but Lester seems to be playing hard to get here, almost Lebronish when he acted like a diva back in 2010. Why does Lester need to "meet" with so many damn teams? Have each team make an offer, take the top 3 offers, and then go meet with them, and then make a decision. Mother ******.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

6-years/$147M is a lot. But still I admit it would be tough not to be excited about adding Lester. I'd love to see him against the Cardinals. Should he sign, our next order of business should be acquiring another SP.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Feel free to tell me if I'm being fucking nuts but Lester seems to be playing hard to get here, almost Lebronish when he acted like a diva back in 2010. Why does Lester need to "meet" with so many damn teams? Have each team make an offer, take the top 3 offers, and then go meet with them, and then make a decision. Mother ******.

This is far from a Lebron move in 2010. He hosted a show to reveal his decision. It's not even in the same stratosphere.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Feel free to tell me if I'm being fucking nuts but Lester seems to be playing hard to get here, almost Lebronish when he acted like a diva back in 2010. Why does Lester need to "meet" with so many damn teams? Have each team make an offer, take the top 3 offers, and then go meet with them, and then make a decision. Mother ******.

That's not really how it works for top free agents, especially at a position where there are really only two guys in the field. From day one everyone knew that the players for Lester were Chicago and Boston and I think it was also pretty clear that Lester preferred a return to Boston but their first offer, though an improvement over their almost insulting offer of five months ago, was still a lowball based on what Lester and his people expected and frankly what almost everyone was predicting. So next he gets the Cubs offer which was reportedly fairly substantial at 6 years/$138 million but still below the 6 years/$150 he was looking for. Boston counters by saying they'll come close essentially saying "come home son, you know you love us". It's pretty simple actually when you think about it because just like in anything else if you have something to offer and the people you're dealing with aren't meeting your price you look to expand your market. That's what Lester has done here. I really don't blame him at all.

I think the one thing that's really signified the end here are the "mystery teams". Lester has run out of suitors so his agent is trying to create some. Makes sense but eventually your bluff is called. My guess is the Cubs will call it, up the offer a little to make it all come to a conclusion and sign him. I'm guessing tomorrow. 6 years/$144 million.

 

[DewsSox79]

6-years/$147M is a lot. But still I admit it would be tough not to be excited about adding Lester. I'd love to see him against the Cardinals. Should he sign, our next order of business should be acquiring another SP.

thats a lot of money for a pitcher who will be irrelevant as far as contending in year 1 of his deal and the last 2 years of his deal he probably wont be the same guy he is today. so essentially you are paying for 3 years when supposedly the team will be "contenders" based on projections of prospects which is also another debate. I dont see this signing as anything significant when there are just way too many holes on this team. this contract can look pretty bad and that is not counting chance of injury. id say hold off and play a full season of the kids to see what you have or spend even more money on proven guys.


Sent from My 1998 Palm Pilot Using Tapatalk

 

[chibears55]

Doesnt surprise me. .

Ive said before, i think if he really wanted to go back to Boston and Boston really wanted him.. he would've never left without them coming to an agreement that made both sides happy. .

I think Boston going to try and cut a deal for Hamels ..

@BleacherNation: Red Sox and Tigers Discussing a Rick Porcello, Yoenis Cespedes Swap? http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/...cussing-a-rick-porcello-yoenis-cespedes-swap/ #Cubs pic.twitter.com/1GLPlWCExf

Not Hamels but looking to deal for a starter

 

[TC in Mississippi]

@BleacherNation: Red Sox and Tigers Discussing a Rick Porcello, Yoenis Cespedes Swap? http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/...cussing-a-rick-porcello-yoenis-cespedes-swap/ #Cubs pic.twitter.com/1GLPlWCExf

Not Hamels but looking to deal for a starter

The surprising thing here is how little value Cespedes seems to have. Detroit would need Cespedes and a starting pitcher for Porcello?? I'm not the biggest fan of Cespedes but that's kind of nuts.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

...and in come the Yankees. This is a Christmas present to Lester and I think the price just went up by at least $10 million. If the Cubs want him 6/$160 or 7/$180 sound about right. Damn.

 

[chibears55]

...and in come the Yankees. This is a Christmas present to Lester and I think the price just went up by at least $10 million. If the Cubs want him 6/$160 or 7/$180 sound about right. Damn.

This isnt true..


@JonHeymanCBS: nothing to indicate yanks in on lester, who has at least cubs, bos & sf bidding. if nyy makes big SP play it'll be scherzer


@PeteAbe: In talking to several sources, no decision yet from Jon Lester. Could come soon but there’s no timetable, either. #redsox #cubs #giants

As of 4:10 CST

 

[chibears55]

@bradfo: Sources have told myself and @alexspeier Dodgers have serious interest in Jon Lester, primed for late push http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/bo...r-poised-for-potential-late-negotiating-push/

Dodgers seems to be that 4th team..
That not good

 

[Parade_Rain]

Aren't the Dodgers trying to shed some payroll/contracts? If so, this seems a bit odd.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

The Boston guys hearing about the Dodgers are very legitimate too. Pretty sure LA will get what they want. Maaan....

 

[DewsSox79]

Aren't the Dodgers trying to shed some payroll/contracts? If so, this seems a bit odd.

and they will when they move 1 or 2 of their outfielders.


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[DewsSox79]

The Boston guys hearing about the Dodgers are very legitimate too. Pretty sure LA will get what they want. Maaan....

this dude is going to get crazy paid. hope the cubs dont raise their offer that would be stupid spending.


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[TL1961]

This is far from a Lebron move in 2010. He hosted a show to reveal his decision. It's not even in the same stratosphere.

I'd be happy hearing "I'm taking my talents to the north side."

 

[TL1961]

The Boston guys hearing about the Dodgers are very legitimate too. Pretty sure LA will get what they want. Maaan....

He won't be happy there.
Nobody is happy there.