MLB Rumors: Jon Lester’s contract status will be decided by Opening Day
By Hayden Kane
The Boston Red Sox would like to lock up ace left-handed starter Jon Lester to a multi-year extension. In order for that to happen Lester will likely have to agree to a hometown discount in the spirit of the deal signed by Dustin Pedroia.
Lester has expressed his willingness to do just that. So could it happen soon? Possibly, but one way or another the situation will be resolved in the next week.
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said that contract extension talks will not leak into the regular season (from MLB.com):
"I can’t handicap it. We’re still talking. There’s nothing else to report but that. I think the spirit of it has continued to be open and sharing information and also focusing in on resolving it one way or another this week before we get into Opening Day. But aside from that, I can’t speculate on it.”"
That does not necessarily sound like there have been significant developments towards an extension. That said, it also sounds like the good vibes that surrounded Lester and the Red Sox last season have carried over to the off-season. A quick development in the next week would not be wholly surprising. If there is no deal, Lester will on his way to joining Justin Masterson and Max Scherzer in a loaded free agent starting pitcher market next off-season.