The 3rd Man In

Jon Lester agrees to deal with Chicago Cubs

Left-hander Jon Lester has agreed to a six-year, $155 million deal with the Chicago Cubs according to numerous reports.

Lester, 30, went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA for the Oakland Athletics last season after being acquired in a major blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline. Over the entire season between the two teams, he posted a 16-11 record with a career-best 2.45 ERA.

He will join a starting rotation featuring Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and recent free agent acquisition Jason Hammel.

In nine major league seasons Lester has been extremely reliable, posting a career record of 116-67 to go along with a 3.58 ERA. He is well known for his postseason success, where he has gone 6-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 14 appearances including a 3-0 record and 0.43 ERA in three World Series starts.

Lester has won two championships with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2010.

Lester instantly gives the Cubs an ace to anchor their starting rotation, while also bring a winning attitude to a franchise that has struggled to be in recent memory.

This was an excellent move by the Cubs front office, and don’t expect this to be their last, as they attempt to build a roster filled with talented in hopes of being a playoff contender in 2015.

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