MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs Believe Jon Lester Will Re-Sign With Boston Red Sox
Getty Images
With the hiring of manager Joe Maddon and proclamations from president Theo Epstein that the team could compete in 2015, fans of the Chicago Cubs were incredibly optimistic going into free agency. Especially given the fact the team was linked to top free agents such as Jon Lester and Russell Martin, that optimism was well founded.
However, Martin signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on a five-year, $82 million deal and now the team doesn’t look like the favorite to land Lester. That comes after comments made by Peter Gammons on his radio show stating the Cubs believe Lester will re-sign with the Boston Red Sox, the team he’s spent almost his entire career playing for.
Even though they met with the free agent lefty on Tuesday in Chicago, the Cubs may be starting to shift their focus to other free agents. This, in all likelihood, means they aren’t going to have as active an offseason as many thought they would. That’s not entirely a bad thing, though.
If the team, which likely wasn’t going to compete in 2015 anyway, can sign a couple second-tier starters as well as a veteran outfielder this year, they will set themselves up well for the 2016 season. Next offseason, David Price, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann and other top pitchers will be free agents and it would be a surprise if the Cubs don’t land one of them.
Certainly, if they miss out on Lester, they will be very active in the free-agent pitching market next offseason. Since 2016 should be the first season the team figures to compete, it doesn’t really matter that it will be next year instead of this year. Putting two new second-tier starters with Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks (and possibly Price next offseason) would give Chicago one of the better rotations in the league.
We’ve seen rumors be completely wrong this offseason already, but it seems like it’s time for the Cubs and their fans to get realistic. However, just because they don’t make a splash this season, doesn’t mean they’re not going to make quite a few 12 months from now.
Top 5 San Diego Padres Pitching Prospects For 2015
The San Diego Padres have a solid group of pitchers in the farm system who could stabilize the rotation for years to come. Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates Need To Trade Stolmy Pimental
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a logjam in their bullpen, and the odd man out seems to be Stolmy Pimental. Read More
Giants Should Trade For Kirk Nieuwenhuis
After missing out on Ben Zobrist, the San Francisco Giants should turn their attention to Kirk Nieuwenhuis to fill their left field void. Read More
Top 5 Blue Jays' Pitching Prospects In 2015
The Toronto Blue Jays gave a couple of their pitching prospects a chance in the majors at the end of 2014, so they expect to play a role in the 2015 season, but there is not much more in the pipeline. Read More
5 Players the Oakland A's Should Still Trade
The Oakland Athletics have been active this offseason, but here are five players they should still be looking to trade. Read More
Toronto Blue Jays Miss Out On Ben Zobrist
The Toronto Blue Jays' infield continues to pose a hole at 2B after missing out on trade for Ben Zobrist. Read More
Colorado Rockies: 5 Players That Could Be Traded
The Colorado Rockies need to re-tool to have any hope of becoming a playoff contender. On that note, here are five players they should still be looking to trade. Read More
Zobrist, Escobar Trade Makes A's Contenders
The Oakland Athletics continue to make a splash in the offseason by trading for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays. Read More
5 Players The Braves Should Trade For
The Atlanta Braves have a lot more moves to make before the start of the season. Take a look at these players the Braves should consider trading for. Read More
Tigers Need A Break Out Season From Shane Greene
With multiple uncertainties in the starting rotation, it would be huge if the Detroit Tigers could get a breakout season out of newcomer Shane Greene. Read More
Tampa Bay Rays: 5 Players They Could Still Trade
With the Tampa Bay Rays heading into a transitional season, here are five players they should still look to trade. Read More
Assessing the SF Giants' 2015 25-Man Roster
The San Francisco Giants aren't as dangerous on paper as they were a season ago. Read More