Jon Lester, traded by the Boston Red Sox in the midst of a career year for a last-place club, could be in line for a return to Fenway Park next season. According to reports Lester is set to meet with Red Sox executives before the end of the week and might leave with a contract signed.
ESPN reported that Boston hasn't moved from the four-year, $70 million deal that was on the table for him that he rejected during the season, but could be inclined to up their offer to six years and $132 million.
2013 was a banner year for the 31-year-old left-hander. He posted a 2.46 ERA, the best of his nine-year career, with a career-best 1.102 WHIP, 220 strikeouts and less than 50 walks. His FIP, which takes into account only strikeouts, walks and home runs, was 2.80, an indicator that the peak season was not born of luck.
Lester's dominance didn't end once he left Boston either, despite Oakland's slide from atop the American League West division coinciding with his arrival. Lester went 6-4 for the A's, with a 2.35 ERA and a K/9 of 8.3.
Lester is among the top free agents of this year's class, however, and several teams are likely to be hot on his trail. The chief competition to Boston would be the Chicago Cubs and ex-Sox general manager Theo Epstein.
Source-Free agent pitcher Jon Lester will visit Cubs for formal meetings and tour next week .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) November 13, 2014
The Cubs have MLB's top farm system, young talent just surging to the MLB level, and a new, high-priced manager in Joe Maddon. They lack a veteran leader in the lineup or pitching staff, which Lester would provide. Lester is expected to meet with Cubs brass next week, putting the onus on Boston's leadership to blow him away and lock him up quickly.
Even if they do, Lester's agent may insist he hears all pitches. "When it advances to that stage, I want Jon present with all clubs," Lester's agent Seth Levinson wrote in an e-mail. "The strength of his character speaks to his greatness on the field and why any team would want him to be the face of the franchise off the field. . . . There is nothing stronger than to be in the same room with Jon."
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