The Boston Red Sox are making another push to sign starting pitcher Jon Lester to a contract extension before he hits free agency this winter, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
More from Boston Red Sox
- After frantic trade day, Kiké Hernandez grateful for second chance with Dodgers
- MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers reunite with familiar face in Red Sox deal
- MLB Rumors: Braves trade package, White Sox-Reds deal, Mets disaster
On Sunday, the Red Sox “re-engaged Lester’s representation” with the hopes of finding common ground on a new deal. Otherwise, Lester is set to hit free agency after the season, where he’ll be able to go to the highest bidder in a competitive, expensive market.
Back in April, the Red Sox offered Lester a four-year, $70 million contract before talks eventually stalled. That’s likely backfired for the franchise now that he’s in the middle of a strong season, pushing the expected value for his next contract into nine figures territory.
Over 17 starts this season, Lester has posted a 2.92 ERA with 115 strikeouts and just 29 walks in 114 innings. His peripheral numbers are as strong as they’ve been since the 2010 season, when Lester finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting.
That’s all good news for Lester, but it may mean the end of his tenure in Boston unless the Red Sox are willing to significantly increase their offer. Given the free agent market for top-level pitchers in recent years, Lester likely will be able to command at least double their previous offer as a free agent.
On Saturday, Lester speculated that negotiations could occur during the All-Star break next month, though he added that a deal wouldn’t necessarily be completed by then.
"“I would imagine it will probably take longer than the break to get something done,” Lester said after beating the New York Yankees 2-1 for his ninth win of the season."
Still, given the rising value of contracts for pitchers of Lester’s caliber, it’s understandable that Boston wants to lock him up before free agency. Over the past year, we’ve seen Felix Hernandez get $175 million and Clayton Kershaw get $215 million, while the Yankees gave Masahiro Tanaka a $155 million deal after putting up the $20 million posting fee.
So we know one thing: Lester isn’t signing for $70 million. We’ll see just how high Boston’s next offer will go.