Does Cubs’ Jon Lester’s career belong in baseball’s Hall of Fame?

Twenty-five years from now, when fans make the trek to Cooperstown to see some of the greats to ever play the game, will they come across a bust of Jon Lester?

If there ever was a person whose numbers are right on the borderline of making the Hall of Fame, it’s Lester. Over 14 seasons, he holds a 190-108 record with a 3.56 ERA. He's made 412 regular season appearances (all but one as a starter), striking out 2,355 hitters over 2,537 2/3 innings. He's a five-time All-Star and has finished in the top 5 in Cy Young voting three times (he came in fourth in both 2010 and 2014 and was second in 2016).

And then there is October.

Lester has appeared in 26 postseason games, going 9-7 with a 2.51 ERA. He's been a part of three World Series championship teams, and in six appearances in the Fall Classic, he's 4-1 with a 1.77 ERA.

A big question is will he have a chance to add to his numbers?

Lester is 36 years old and entering the final season of the six-year deal he signed entering 2015. There is no telling when the 2020 season will begin (if at all), and how this layoff will affect not only his, but every major leaguer’s performance once the game starts up again.

What helps Lester’s cause is pitchers winning 300 career games is a thing of the past. Bartolo Colon is the “active” pitcher with most wins at 247, with Lester fourth, behind Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke.