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MLB: Top Free Agent Starting Pitchers Available This Winter

By Carlos Nazario

Aug 17, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) walks to the dugout after being replaced in the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) walks to the dugout after being replaced in the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jon Lester (16-11, 2.46 ERA, 219.2 innings, 1.10 WHIP)

Jon Lester will be the jewel crown of the free agent starting pitching crop. There is not a lot of difference between Lester and Scherzer, but having a lefty who could throw like Lester, and seeing his accomplishments in the postseason clinches it for him.

For the sixth time in seven seasons, Lester has gone over 200 innings. He has a career ERA+ of 121 (21 percent better than the rest of the league adjusted to pitcher’s ballpark).

Speaking of the postseason, Lester just shines when the lights are at their brightest. He owns a 6-4 record, with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

He is nearly untouchable in the World Series. In helping the Boston Red Sox win two World Series, his record is 3-0, and he has a 0.43 ERA to go with a 0.76 WHIP. A $200 million contract may be the low end of the spectrum for Lester.

The Red Sox traded Lester to the Oakland A’s before this season’s non-waiver trade deadline, so teams looking to pick him up are not required to give up any draft picks to get him. That makes him even more attractive to MLB teams.

There will be some heavy hitters with a lot of extra money laying around who would just love to get their hands on Lester. The Red Sox have not ruled out a reunion with Lester, being that he is a homegrown guy (although he did sell his house in the area, so take that however you like). The Yankees are always lurking in the background with a vault of cash open 24 hours a day, but with all the huge contracts they currently have, even they might not be able to afford Lester.

The Cubs are another team interested in Lester. Team president Theo Epstein, who was the general manager for the Red Sox the first time Lester helped them win a World Series, has indicated that the Cubs are going to spend a lot this offseason, especially on pitching.

It is going to be a fun offseason in the MLB. Will we see the next $200 million pitcher? We will see in about a month or so.

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