6/25 Dodgers (Frias) @ Cubs (Lester) 1:20, ABC7, MLBN

[Hairyducked Idiot]

what if lester is the next barry zito

 

Then things get a little harder. It would suck, but he is just one player.

[philosophizer75]

So we're paying him oodles of money and catering to his whims (ross), but in return we're getting subpar starts? I admittedly didn't know too terribly much about jon lester before this year, but his stuff doesn't seem too dominating, and he's got other issues to boot (throwing over, getting stolen on). What was he doing so differently the previous 5 years that merited the contract he got?

[Sammys Boombox]

The fun side is how this is the part of Lester's contract where we need to pile up excess value to make up for the end.

 

Hate to agree, but exactly.

[Ski]

It's not like marching up to Lester and saying "You need to suck less often" is going to magically make him improve, but regardless, he really does need to be more consistent. He's been good... Maybe three out of five starts?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The fun side is how this is the part of Lester's contract where we need to pile up excess value to make up for the end.

 

Isn't he supposed to be a pitcher that ages gracefully and that's why Theo was willing to sign a big FA over 30?

 

That was certainly part of the spin.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Not to put unrealistic expectations on him, but Jon Lester needs to be more of an ace. This just ain't going to get it done.

 

Yeah but let's see how he finishes the year before we pan him. If he doesn't get it together, well he's had bad years before and has turned it around the next year.

 

True.

 

And I know I'm about to state the obvious but the scary thing is...........we have no choice.

 

I have irrational fears that Jon Lester is mentally rattled. That the big money and the focus on his throwing has gotten him way out of his comfort zone.

[UMFan83]

I officially hate the Lester signing. Rare mistake by Theo giving that much to a player over 30. I much rather have stuck to signing/trading for talented but struggling arms who Bosio could work his magic on.

 

It was hard to face that truth in the wake of signing such a good player, but it's worn off and I'm pretty pissed.

 

If you talk to Boston that's not exactly a rare FA mistake from Theo. And the fact that his 2 big FA signings with the Cubs are Lester (not willing to give up on the signing but it's trended bad) and Jaxon signals concern.

[sontensei]

Not to put unrealistic expectations on him, but Jon Lester needs to be more of an ace. This just ain't going to get it done.

 

Yeah but let's see how he finishes the year before we pan him. If he doesn't get it together, well he's had bad years before and has turned it around the next year.

 

I reserve the right to hate him now and change my mind if he improves

 

I totally agree.. lester has been like dr. jekyll / mr. hyde --- i hope it pours hard .. very hard... so hard they have to call the game before we can get 5 innings in.

[Sammys Boombox]

So we're paying him oodles of money and catering to his whims (ross), but in return we're getting subpar starts? I admittedly didn't know too terribly much about jon lester before this year, but his stuff doesn't seem too dominating, and he's got other issues to boot (throwing over, getting stolen on). What was he doing so differently the previous 5 years that merited the contract he got?

 

http://m.bbref.com/m?p=XXplayersXXlXXlestejo01-pitch.shtml&t=all_standard_pitching

[UMFan83]

Not to put unrealistic expectations on him, but Jon Lester needs to be more of an ace. This just ain't going to get it done.

 

Yeah but let's see how he finishes the year before we pan him. If he doesn't get it together, well he's had bad years before and has turned it around the next year.

 

True.

 

And I know I'm about to state the obvious but the scary thing is...........we have no choice.

 

I have irrational fears that Jon Lester is mentally rattled. That the big money and the focus on his throwing has gotten him way out of his comfort zone.

 

I think signing someone like Price this offseason would end up taking a lot of the pressure of Lester having to pitch like an ace. Who knows if that's a legit issue he's having but it would at least take that excuse away from him.

[sontensei]

Not to put unrealistic expectations on him, but Jon Lester needs to be more of an ace. This just ain't going to get it done.

 

Yeah but let's see how he finishes the year before we pan him. If he doesn't get it together, well he's had bad years before and has turned it around the next year.

 

True.

 

And I know I'm about to state the obvious but the scary thing is...........we have no choice.

 

I have irrational fears that Jon Lester is mentally rattled. That the big money and the focus on his throwing has gotten him way out of his comfort zone.

 

Yeah, as solid as he seemed to be, something just isnt right with Lester. It could be mental, it could be physical or a mix of both. the only one that truly knows is Jon himself.

The fact we have to play ross to caddy for a pitcher who isnt very consistent just adds oil to the fire for me.

[Andy]

So we're paying him oodles of money and catering to his whims (ross), but in return we're getting subpar starts? I admittedly didn't know too terribly much about jon lester before this year, but his stuff doesn't seem too dominating, and he's got other issues to boot (throwing over, getting stolen on). What was he doing so differently the previous 5 years that merited the contract he got?

Well, for one thing, it seems like no one knew or cared (opponents or his own team) that he couldn't throw to first base until the pen hit the paper on this contract, which is more than a little annoying.

[KingCubsFan]

Not to put unrealistic expectations on him, but Jon Lester needs to be more of an ace. This just ain't going to get it done.

 

Yeah but let's see how he finishes the year before we pan him. If he doesn't get it together, well he's had bad years before and has turned it around the next year.

 

True.

 

And I know I'm about to state the obvious but the scary thing is...........we have no choice.

 

I have irrational fears that Jon Lester is mentally rattled. That the big money and the focus on his throwing has gotten him way out of his comfort zone.

 

I think signing someone like Price this offseason would end up taking a lot of the pressure of Lester having to pitch like an ace. Who knows if that's a legit issue he's having but it would at least take that excuse away from him.

The worse Lester is, the less likely I see them doubling down on giving $150mm+ to pitchers over 30.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I officially hate the Lester signing. Rare mistake by Theo giving that much to a player over 30. I much rather have stuck to signing/trading for talented but struggling arms who Bosio could work his magic on.

 

It was hard to face that truth in the wake of signing such a good player, but it's worn off and I'm pretty pissed.

 

If you talk to Boston that's not exactly a rare FA mistake from Theo. And the fact that his 2 big FA signings with the Cubs are Lester (not willing to give up on the signing but it's trended bad) and Jaxon signals concern.

 

We talked about it a lot at the time of the hiring. His history with big FA pitching isn't uniformly awful, but it is pretty bad.

[Schwarber Fan]

That's enough to make me turn this game off

[philosophizer75]

I mean, thanks for the link but I could've looked up the stats. I was asking more along the lines of what do we think he is doing differently this year that is resulting in these bad outings.

 

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[Andy]

Every team has several rocket shots find gloves every game, right?

[Schwarber Fan]

I can't help but wonder if Lester had signed with San Francisco if if we would constantly hear about how we can't throw to first and can't hit.

 

Now Bryant out! LOL

Edited June 25, 2015 by Rondon Fan

[BeerHere]

Is Lester getting squeezed or is he just missing his spots and blaming it on the ump?

[Andy]

They took Bryant out. Forfeiting already?

[NotSoSober]

oh great. now bryant is out. i guess i can turn it off now

[sontensei]

The issue with the strategy that the FO has gone with developing the system, the team is that about the only way we will get dominant pitchers is via Free Agency if they dont wanna trade the young talent.... its fucked up because every pitcher we pick up will more than likey be late 20's or older and chances are the best years are behind them.

[DiamondMind]

just kill me

[Bryants Disco Ball]

I officially hate the Lester signing. Rare mistake by Theo giving that much to a player over 30. I much rather have stuck to signing/trading for talented but struggling arms who Bosio could work his magic on.

 

It was hard to face that truth in the wake of signing such a good player, but it's worn off and I'm pretty pissed.

 

As a fan you have the right to feel any you want.

 

BUT, I'd say it's unfair to put this on the front office. Everyone was waiting for them to sign a big ticket free agent, and I really don't remember anyone bashing the move when it happened. Jon Lester appeared to be pretty safe to not be a bust and be a quality pitcher for four or five seasons (still hope he will be).

 

I'm not yet freaking out that this is Barry Zitoish.

[KingCubsFan]

They took Bryant out. Forfeiting already?

Another hangover?