The Chicago Cubs introduced free agent acquisition Jon Lester to the media on Monday and his number choice raised some eyebrows across the Chicagoland area by deciding to wear number 34.
More from Chicago Cubs
- MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- Cubs: Cody Bellinger is putting up come-and-get-me numbers
- Cubs front office deserves an apology for Willson Contreras hysteria
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
Jon Lester was the Cubs high-priced offseason acquisition after signing a six-year, $155 million deal and was introduced to the media horde on Monday afternoon where he donned his new jersey with the No. 34 on the back.
The number 34 was recently worn by fan favorite Kerry Wood who retired in 2012 and is remembered as the number former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton wore during his Hall of Fame career. Those two players, along with Nolan Ryan, are why Lester decided to wear the number here in Chicago, because he likes the legacy that number has.
Lester to wear #34 pic.twitter.com/RXyGMqMWGV
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 15, 2014
Lester chose 34 because of Kerry Wood, Walter Payton and Nolan Ryan. Likes the legacy
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 15, 2014
Lester wore No. 31 during his time with the Boston Red Sox and brief time with the Oakland A’s after he was traded from Boston to Oakland at the trade deadline last season.
The number that everyone will be talking about is the $155 million owed to Lester over the lifetime of the contract and whether or not the Cubs overpaid to acquire the talented lefty and if that’ll come back to haunt them at the end of the deal.
This is just the price of poker and you have to “overpay” to get talent on the open market and when you’re the Cubs and have a void at the front of the rotation and need an ace to expedite their rebuilding effort, it is a price you are willing and happy to pay to get a talent like Lester.
If it results in even one World Series win it’ll be the bargain of the century and hopefully for Cubs fans he can win a championship like Payton did with the 1985 Bears.
For more MLB coverage this offseason stay on FanSided.com to stay on top of the latest updates around the world of baseball, including the latest news, free agent and trade rumors and injury updates.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return