Jon Lester and his agents aren’t rushing into anything.
Multiple reports suggest Lester could make his free agency decision Tuesday, meaning there’s still time for teams to increase their offers. Executives from one major league club told CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam that Lester’s agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, are giving the process a little more time in the hopes that one of the four known bidders — Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers — will increase their offer to $150 million.
According to McAdam, it’s believed that no team has offered much beyond $140 million over six years. The Cubs recently offered Lester a six-year, $138 million contract, according to reports, and the Red Sox’s offer is believed to be in the neighborhood of $130 million. It’s unclear whether Boston is willing to increase its offer.
A $150 million offer could be enough to land Lester, but FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal said Monday on MLB Network that he expects the bidding to “zoom past” the $150 million mark. In any event, its sounds like Lester and his representatives are prepared to wait at least one more day to see what the open market brings.
Lester, whose free agency is expected to create a domino effect in the starting pitching market, will turn 31 in January. The three-time All-Star spent his first eight-plus seasons in Boston before being traded to the Oakland Athletics at this year’s Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
