The Cubs came out on top in the Jon Lester sweepstakes earlier this week and they are ready to make the deal official:
It's happening. This Monday, we'll officially welcome our newest teammate! pic.twitter.com/fTD3Cz1xsl
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 13, 2014
#Cubs will have the Jon Lester press conference on Monday afternoon at Spiaggia Restaurant on Michigan Avenue.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) December 13, 2014
After weighing a return to the Red Sox, Lester ultimately agreed to a six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs. This ties him with Yankees’ right-hander Masahiro Tanaka for the fifth-highest guarantee ever handed out to a pitcher and also gives him the second-highest AAV (average annual value) ever among pitchers. Granted, he’s likely to move down that list once free agent right-hander Max Scherzer signs. Scherzer, who is six month younger than Lester, is reportedly looking for a $200 million contract.