Signing Jon Lester Should Be Chicago Cubs’ Top Offseason Priority
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The Chicago Cubs have seemingly been linked to every single big-name free agent this offseason, but so far they have nothing to show for that. Even though they are more willing to spend money this year than they have been in a long time, they’re not going to rush things. That being said, there is one thing the Cubs need to make sure they get done this offseason: sign Jon Lester.
The pitching free agent class is extremely strong this offseason and it should be strong next offseason as well, which is why the Cubs need to lock up one ace and give themselves a chance to sign another one next offseason. Being able to land Lester and then someone like David Price would give the Cubs one of the best rotations in all of baseball.
There are several reasons Lester makes sense for the Cubs. He’s familiar with the Cubs front office from his early days with the Boston Red Sox so that should help Chicago’s cause. Additionally, he’s the ace the Cubs have coveted for a while and they’re going to pay for pitching. If he’s looking for a deal in the neighborhood of six years and $130 million, the Cubs are likely to offer it.
More than that, pitching is the Cubs’ top offseason need. They’ve made it clear they’re going to pursue elite pitching in order to bolster their rotation and Lester is the perfect fit. Especially after missing out on Russell Martin who signed a five-year, $82 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cubs have plenty of money to spend.
When the Cubs open up the season on Sunday Night Baseball at Wrigley Field against the St. Louis Cardinals, the starting pitchers could be Lester and Adam Wainwright. If the Cubs are able to lock up Lester long term, expect those two to be meeting in October very soon, instead of just in April.
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