Jon Lester has agreed to a five-year deal, buying out his first year of free agency. The Sox have a $13 million team option for his second year in 2014. The five years total $30 million and locks up yet another Sox youngster. Great news, especially with Lester on the charts of scouts to make a push for the Cy Young award this year.
11 Comments to “Lester signs with BoSox for 5 years, $30 million”
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[...] signed a five-year contract prior to the 2009 season, locking him in Boston through 2013 with a club [...]
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This is great news! The last of the young generation heading to arbitration is locked up. Its nice to see payroll stabilization and organizational loyalty by both sides. Great great deal!
This is a good deal.
My only reservation is the Verducci rule-Jonny made a big, big leap in IP last year. I hope that doesn’t come back to bite us.
As I said on TBL… this is great news for now and the future. Next step… extend Bay… then maybe Beckett… and hope tha Papelbon doens;t run away with a FA deal…
Happy happy happy happy! Our Ace-in-waiting will become our Ace before this contract is over.
I am so angry about this! Five million a year on average for a potential ace during his prime years? This is unfathomable, ludicrous. What was Theo thinking? :)
Michael,
Undoubtedly. To be honest, I’m expecting a regression… but still, it’s a great deal.
Hi EVan,
This rotation could handle a little regression this year, but with another pitch in his quiver, and huge innings last year, I am more worried about his shoulder. Fortunately, this rotation and pen can also rest him as needed.
For the sake of discussion, it could be argued that 2008 was his true rookie year (in terms of games pitched, he finished it in May/June). He pitched an entire year without being “sent down” for injury, treatment, and rehab during 2006 and 2007. He pitched 48.2 innings at Pawtucket in 2006 with a 2.7era, and another 78 in 2007 with a 3.89.
After compiling a 27-8, 3.81 MLB record, you might think 5/$30MM plus club option is too little. But, according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, this is the largest deal ever given a pitcher with two year’s service, surpassing Fausto Carmona’s contract last year of 4/$15M, when the economy was still strong.
The Sox may be conservative, but they are still generous, and they are obviously building their core. In two years, Lester, Daisuke, Buchholz, Bowden, Papelbon, MDC, Oki, Bard, Jones, Tazawa could be on the roster, all having come up or into MLB through the Sox system. That is amazing.
Oops. Read the Passan article before reading BottomLine piece. Got excited. Sorry.
A nice end to a pretty good offseason. Now we can concentrate on winning the games.
Which is starting to happen: Daisuke, Youk and Pedroia for WBC; incredible pitching and promising hitting by roster spot #25 candidates and Julio Lugo. And with Mike and Penny getting ready to start, that much talked about “depth” is all coming together.