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

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Missing out on Lester wouldn't be a big deal if this was still Boston Epstein, who would already have an awesome trade in place and then he'd go sign Headley and Robertson just so nobody else could have them.

 

Chicago Epstein gets edged out on Lester, lets payroll sit at $85m and basks in the glow of "progress" after winning 79 games.

[rawaction]

RT @Buster_ESPN: Lester talks nearing the finish line, sources say. Choice will be made no earlier than tonight, no later than tomorrow.

 

YES!

[Tyrant]

Missing out on Lester wouldn't be a big deal if this was still Boston Epstein, who would already have an awesome trade in place and then he'd go sign Headley and Robertson just so nobody else could have them.

 

Chicago Epstein gets edged out on Lester, lets payroll sit at $85m and basks in the glow of "progress" after winning 79 games.

 

k

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Chicago Epstein gets edged out on Lester, lets payroll sit at $85m and basks in the glow of "progress" after winning 79 games.

http://i.imgur.com/z6UdwNo.gif

[UMFan83]

**Fictional** Expected Muskat article

 

Theo Remains Upbeat Despite Giants Nabbing Lester

 

You could forgive Cubs President Theo Epstein for seeming down Tuesday night as reports indicated highly prized free agent starter Jon Lester agreed to terms on a 7 year, $156 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. After all, Lester now joins Yu Darvish, Anibal Sanchez and Masahiro Tanaka as failed free agent pursuits in the Epstein regime. But an upbeat Epstein said Tuesday night that the Cubs will not deviate from his plan to build the Cubs into contenders - even if it means missing out on high profile targets.

 

etc etc etc

[bukie]

It never ceases to amaze me how negatively obtuse everyone can be about every minute detail of the process.

[Elrhino]

Meh, I'm ready to move on to the Scherzer thread.

[Guest]

It never ceases to amaze me how negatively obtuse everyone can be about every minute detail of the process.

It never ceases to amaze me that you never cease to make comments about everyone's negative obtuseness.

 

 

it's a message board.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It never ceases to amaze me how negatively obtuse everyone can be about every minute detail of the process.

 

Every time you post I just see a cranky old school marm wagging her finger disapprovingly.

[bukie]

I mean, nobody's saying that everyone's response must be overwhelmingly positive to every situation, but there's a wide gulf between there and everyone interpreting each advancement in the narrative in the most insultingly negative way possible. Somewhere in between lies logic, and despite it being a message board, I'd hope there's room for it somewhere, even if some posters make every effort to eliminate the possibility from discussion at every opportunity.

[bukie]

I mean, if the Cubs sign Lester, it's a huge addition to the rotation, and instantly upgrades the rotation. If they get him for a not-too-exorbitant contract as well, all the better. If they go to 8/200 and just blow him away with AAV/length, I probably wouldn't be overly happy long-term, but hey, short term instant upgrade.

 

If they don't sign Lester, it doesn't mean they're punting the offseason, either, as there are other avenues to upgrade the rotation if Lester decides not to come to Chicago. It just ends up being more complicated than it would be to sign Lester, as there is an additional cost involved (draft pick/international bid/player trade).

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Cubs have *earned* the negative interpretation. It didn't just spontaneously develop overnight.

[XZero771679666304]

The Cubs have *earned* the negative interpretation. It didn't just spontaneously develop overnight.

 

Perhaps, but not to the degree some people seem to think. It's one thing to be skeptical, it's quite another to revel in the negativity like a pig in [expletive].

[davell]

They've brought up the Nats before with the Werth signing signaling its time to compete and you might have to overpay to get that initial large piece. My honest guess is money won't be why we lose Lester(if we do). Personally, I don't have a realistic number I'd be out on. If it takes 7/175, I'd gulp, but I'd do it, if necessary. I hope we're ready to do that.

[KingCubsFan]

They've brought up the Nats before with the Werth signing signaling its time to compete and you might have to overpay to get that initial large piece. My honest guess is money won't be why we lose Lester(if we do). Personally, I don't have a realistic number I'd be out on. If it takes 7/175, I'd gulp, but I'd do it, if necessary. I hope we're ready to do that.

I don't think the Cubs will go that high. But then again, I'm not sure if any of four teams will. All four teams have pretty smart front offices.

[Clem Fandango]

6/150 with a 7th year vesting option to take it to 7/175.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Cubs have *earned* the negative interpretation. It didn't just spontaneously develop overnight.

 

Perhaps, but not to the degree some people seem to think. It's one thing to be skeptical, it's quite another to revel in the negativity like a pig in [expletive].

 

To what more degree could it be? We're terrible historically, have had terrible luck when we do make the playoffs, and have been terrible recently.

[Guest]

Lester’s camp is waiting to see if a club will up its offer to the $150MM level and/or include a seventh year, whether guaranteed or through a vesting option, per a report from Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com. The bidding is believed to be sitting around $140MM over six years at present, McAdam adds.

 

Bump it up to $150M and finish this Theo

[SouthSideRyan]

That seems to imply the 3(4?) bids are all roughly the same. Our FO can't possibly think we're going to win with the same contract as BOS or SFG

[Banedon]

That seems to imply the 3(4?) bids are all roughly the same. Our FO can't possibly think we're going to win with the same contract as BOS or SFG

 

Maybe not, but maybe they just aren't willing to go higher?

[davell]

That seems to imply the 3(4?) bids are all roughly the same. Our FO can't possibly think we're going to win with the same contract as BOS or SFG

 

Maybe not, but maybe they just aren't willing to go higher?

 

If you wind up going after Shields or Scherzer, is the loss of a 2nd round pick worth 10 mill?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

2nd round picks aren't worth much anyway.

[gscool89]

RT @Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: Barring late change, Lester choosing between #Cubs, #SFGiants.

 

Here we go!

[Guest]

omg omg

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

The Giants have had enough [expletive] good luck the last few years, come the [expletive] on. If they beat us for Lester...

 

http://i.imgur.com/tgQxf6J.gif