The Jon Lester Signs w/ Cubs - 6 yrs/$155 Million

[Deeg]

..Yeah Craig, it's better than a straight-up 7th year, but the real question is whether or not it's enough to sway Lester for the same reasons you or I might find it acceptable....

 

Yeah, agree that a vesting 7th year may not be very persuasive or add much value to Lester or his agent.

 

It might, of course. With 7 years, that would take him through his age-37 season. That might seem like a lot of stability for a guy and his wife? But yeah, for exactly the reasons that we don't mind it at all, he probably wouldn't value it much. Still, sometimes a guy figures he's going to last, and getting an extra $25 secured might seem kind of appealing.

 

Maybe the agent would like it, too? They like to report the richest version, so $138/6 might not seem as productive as $160/7?

 

In either case, no harm in Hoyer offering it. Assuming he doesn't take it, no harm done; if he does sign, no harm done either.

 

I don't think Hoyer has a whole lot to do with it, honestly.

[SouthSideRyan]

I can't believe how many people are using WS wins as their argument.

 

i can't believe anyone thinks a veteran player would give much of a [expletive] about the cubs' farm system ranking.

 

these guys aren't idiots. a veteran player like lester is more likely to come to a team that's on the upswing with a lot of positive buzz (cubs right now) than go to the cubs of 3-4 years ago, who were just as lousy but were almost completely bereft of young talent.

 

Who are the Cubs of 3-4 years ago in this scenario?

[Tyrant]

I can't believe how many people are using WS wins as their argument.

 

i can't believe anyone thinks a veteran player would give much of a [expletive] about the cubs' farm system ranking.

 

these guys aren't idiots. a veteran player like lester is more likely to come to a team that's on the upswing with a lot of positive buzz (cubs right now) than go to the cubs of 3-4 years ago, who were just as lousy but were almost completely bereft of young talent.

 

sure, but that wasn't the original point. the guy was saying the cubs are a more attractive destination than the giants, who win the world series every other year.

[Deeg]

As I've said before, the second big ticket FA is going to be easier to sign than the first. No one wants to be a token - no one wants to have to take it on faith that this is the start of a new paradigm. Guys entering their 30's don't want to hear about how the kids will be hitting their peak in a few years and things will be great. They want to hear that a team is desperate to win right now, and has the pieces and wherewithal to do it.

 

Whether it's Lester or not, I really think the first big fish is going to have to get blown out of the water. In Marlin Bystro's words, that contract is going to have to be really "uncomfortable". One that Theo hates and many in places like this too. It's going to feel like an overpay. But that's what it's going to take.

[TruffleShuffle]

I can't believe how many people are using WS wins as their argument.

 

i can't believe anyone thinks a veteran player would give much of a [expletive] about the cubs' farm system ranking.

 

these guys aren't idiots. a veteran player like lester is more likely to come to a team that's on the upswing with a lot of positive buzz (cubs right now) than go to the cubs of 3-4 years ago, who were just as lousy but were almost completely bereft of young talent.

 

Who are the Cubs of 3-4 years ago in this scenario?

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2011.shtml

[SouthSideRyan]

I can't believe how many people are using WS wins as their argument.

 

i can't believe anyone thinks a veteran player would give much of a [expletive] about the cubs' farm system ranking.

 

these guys aren't idiots. a veteran player like lester is more likely to come to a team that's on the upswing with a lot of positive buzz (cubs right now) than go to the cubs of 3-4 years ago, who were just as lousy but were almost completely bereft of young talent.

 

Who are the Cubs of 3-4 years ago in this scenario?

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2011.shtml

 

Oh, then I agree, that team probably doesn't stand much of a chance beating us out for Jon Lester.

[JWCUB]

FWIW,Sean Casey was just on MLB network Hot Stove. Apparently he was a team mate of Lesters in Boston. He keeps in contact with Lester and feels it comes down to Boston and the Cubs, with him ultimately choosing the Cubs.

[UMFan83]

I obviously want him to go to the Cubs but if he doesn't I just don't want him to go back to Boston. I hate the fact that they could trade him away in a lost season, get legitimate value in return (even though Cespedes wore out his welcome in Boston he will still fetch value in a trade), and then re-sign him without having to lose a draft pick because the new CBA took away draft pick compensation for someone traded in his walk year.

 

Then again maybe I shouldn't be mad at the Red Sox for being shrewd and taking advantage of the new CBA since we also have a FO that finds ways to create competitive advantages within the confines of the CBA.

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-pitch-to-jon-lester-spt-1202-20141201-story.html

 

The Cubs hope to connect in their final at-bats to land prized left-handed free-agent pitcher Jon Lester.

 

With that in mind, they're preparing to present their strongest sales pitch against the likes of the Red Sox and the World Series champion Giants.

 

A source familiar with the Lester negotiations said that in addition to offering a multiyear contract that could average at least $23 million annually, the Cubs hope to convince Lester, 30, to sign by reinforcing their plans for team success and personal comfort.

 

IDK if this means we're meeting with him again or if this is just stuff that gets communicated over the phone or what...but it sure seems like it'd be another meeting.

[UMFan83]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-pitch-to-jon-lester-spt-1202-20141201-story.html

 

The Cubs hope to connect in their final at-bats to land prized left-handed free-agent pitcher Jon Lester.

 

With that in mind, they're preparing to present their strongest sales pitch against the likes of the Red Sox and the World Series champion Giants.

 

A source familiar with the Lester negotiations said that in addition to offering a multiyear contract that could average at least $23 million annually, the Cubs hope to convince Lester, 30, to sign by reinforcing their plans for team success and personal comfort.

 

IDK if this means we're meeting with him again or if this is just stuff that gets communicated over the phone or what...but it sure seems like it'd be another meeting.

 

It certainly sounds like this diffutes the report that the Cubs aren't confident in signing him. They seem to be pulling out all the stops because they think they can get him.

[Guest]

Well, I think they'd pitch him hard regardless of how confident they felt.

 

That's not to say that reports like that Wittenmyer one about them not having expressed confidence aren't silly.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

[expletive] SIGN ALREADY

[SouthSideRyan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-pitch-to-jon-lester-spt-1202-20141201-story.html

 

The Cubs hope to connect in their final at-bats to land prized left-handed free-agent pitcher Jon Lester.

 

With that in mind, they're preparing to present their strongest sales pitch against the likes of the Red Sox and the World Series champion Giants.

 

A source familiar with the Lester negotiations said that in addition to offering a multiyear contract that could average at least $23 million annually, the Cubs hope to convince Lester, 30, to sign by reinforcing their plans for team success and personal comfort.

 

IDK if this means we're meeting with him again or if this is just stuff that gets communicated over the phone or what...but it sure seems like it'd be another meeting.

 

It certainly sounds like this diffutes the report that the Cubs aren't confident in signing him. They seem to be pulling out all the stops because they think they can get him.

 

Just like Tanaka

[Sammy Sofa]

[expletive] SIGN ALREADY

 

[RynoRules]

This video of the negotiation just hit the web (NSFW):

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

BRING THE [expletive] WORLD THEO

[Guest]

disclaimer - i already said reports like this are silly so don't call me out on that

 

@DYST_Now: SOURCE: There is a growing confidence within the Cubs organization that Jon Lester will sign with them.

 

Wasn't there some other report from this Syracuse paper on something earlier?

[sneakypower]

btw, was it ever mentioned on here that 14 year old twitter kid was outed as a liar?

[Guest]

The Jon Lester Watch continues not only for the Cubs, Red Sox and Giants but for the rest of baseball. The consensus remains that once Lester agrees to terms with a team the pitching market will open and other signings and trades will start happening.

 

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.”

 

The 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.

 

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2014/12/jon-lester-update-reportedly-left-meeting-impressed-cubs.php

[Sammy Sofa]

Ah, internet justice. The stupidest of justices.

[sneakypower]

Multiple reports have suggested Lester will end up with at least the contract Zack Greinke received (six years, $147 million)

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2014/12/jon-lester-update-reportedly-left-meeting-impressed-cubs.php

damn, Greinke's due 4/102 right now and he's just a few months older than Lester

 

would definitely have preferred that

[Cubswin11]

6/150 wouldn't be bad at all, if that's what it takes

[RynoRules]

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/250x250/55679653.jpg

[UMFan83]

disclaimer - i already said reports like this are silly so don't call me out on that

 

@DYST_Now: SOURCE: There is a growing confidence within the Cubs organization that Jon Lester will sign with them.

 

Wasn't there some other report from this Syracuse paper on something earlier?

 

Yeah I posted a "report" from that same twitter handle revealing that a team was going to make a 6/$144m offer to Lester.

[Tryptamine]

Multiple reports have suggested Lester will end up with at least the contract Zack Greinke received (six years, $147 million)

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2014/12/jon-lester-update-reportedly-left-meeting-impressed-cubs.php

damn, Greinke's due 4/102 right now and he's just a few months older than Lester

 

would definitely have preferred that

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Greinke have an opt out contract following 2015? He's a great option for 2016.