Former Boston Red Sox ace Jon Lester has always been the type of guy to live in the moment when it comes to baseball, and that obviously hasn’t changed since he was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
Lester had his first press conference as a member of the A’s on Friday — along with outfielder Jonny Gomes — and he spoke candidly about contract negotiations with the Red Sox and how he felt being in Oakland.
“I think any time you negotiate with a team, and it doesn’t go the way everybody wants to, I think there’s always going to be disappointment,” Lester said. “That’s not to say the effort wasn’t there on both sides to try to get something done. But my time in Boston will be something that I always remember, always cherish, from 2002 to yesterday.”
He was sentimental about his time in Boston and acknowledged that it was difficult not knowing where he was going to end up in the days before the trade. He noted that his relationship with the team could continue, but as always, he’s still laser focused on doing what’s best for his current team.
“I thanked (the Red Sox) personally yesterday for everything they’ve done, and we’ll see where that relationship goes later on,” Lester said. “But right now I’m an A, and I’m going to go out here and perform for these guys and do the best I can to bring a championship here.”
Photo via USA Today Sports
