Free agent starting pitcher, Jon Lester is a pretty hot commodity right now in the baseball world. Many MLB teams continue to be interested in the lefty but he has yet to make a decision on where he’ll play in 2015 and beyond.
The Chicago Cubs made an offer to Lester on Tuesday night with a six year deal that’s north of $135M. The Red Sox reportedly made an offer to Lester for six years between $110 – $120M.
The Braves met with Lester last week and reports are that the meeting that lasted over two hours went really well but nothing has been mentioned that the Braves offered him a contract.
The 30-year-old who turns 31 in January, is coming off the best season of his nine-year career. Lester is a three-time All-Star and went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts split between Boston and the Oakland Athletics in 2014.
The check books have been opened and the money is flying but is the cash the most important item to Lester?
Well, if you’re an Atlanta Braves fan, you would hope not.
Lester told CBS Sports back on September 30th…”When you get to a certain point, money can’t buy happiness. That’s not what makes me happy. That’s not what makes me tick.”
Those are words fans of the Braves want to hear more of!!
The Braves probably won’t get into a bidding war with these teams that just throw money at players but the Braves are simply still on the table because Lester has a home in the Atlanta area. A hometown discount could still land Lester in Atlanta.
For what it's worth, earlier this year Jon Lester bought a house that's very close to site of the new #Braves ballpark.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 25, 2014
Lester and his wife and kids have lived near Peachtree City in recent years.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 26, 2014
In the same interview on September 30th Lester went on to say…It’s all about where he and his family feel most happy.
The Red Sox seemed like the clear favorite to land Lester but maybe the offer they originally gave him turned him away from a return to Boston. The total was a little low compared to the offer the Detroit Tigers offered Max Scherzer.
The left-hander currently has five teams very interested in his pitching services…Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Giants and Cardinals.
Jon Heyman reported this morning…”Lester emphasized the importance of family and happiness over dollars in a clubhouse interview with CBSSports.com right after the season, which may suggest Boston and Atlanta have an edge. However, he didn’t take Boston’s first offer, or even its second one”
The train continues for Lester through the holidays and is expected to meet with two other teams but an answer should be coming pretty close to following the Thanksgiving holiday.