David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com reports that the Cubs have offered Jon Lester a six-year deal worth “north of” $135 million.
Compare this to the $120 million or so reportedly offered by the Red Sox. The Braves, Giants, and Cardinals are also said to have interest, but we’ve yet to hear concrete numbers applied to their interest.
The Cubs interest should not be such a surprise when you realize that last year they were reportedly big on Masahiro Tanaka and, during the season, put in a waiver claim on Cole Hamels, which would’ve cost them a pretty penny.