Red Sox lock up Lester for 5 years

[missionhockey21]

Gotta love the deal for the Red Sox. They buy out some of the after arbitration years and lock up a huge part of their future success til he is 30. For Lester, he can test the market at a still young age for a bigger deal, but he got security with this one.

Good move.

Lester, Red Sox reportedly agree

Jon Lester's fairy-tale story appears to have reached new heights.
The left-hander has agreed to a five-year, $30 million extension with the Red Sox, according to a Yahoo! sports report on Sunday. Boston reportedly holds a $13 million option for 2014.


Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma during his rookie season in 2006. He was declared cancer-free later in the year.



He returned in 2007 to appear in 12 regular-season games. The 25-year-old was on the postseason roster and ended up getting the win in the World Series-clinching Game 4 in Denver against the Rockies.


Lester broke through last season, going 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 33 starts. He surpassed 200 innings and, more importantly, his velocity returned to his pre-cancer mid-90s mph level.

On May 19, Lester's feel-good story became more dramatic when he threw a no-hitter against Kansas City at Fenway Park.


Lester would not confirm the report to the Boston Globe on Sunday, but he knew that talks had intensified between his agent, Josh Yates, and the Red Sox.


"I know that the past couple days have been pretty good," he said, according to the newspaper.

Jon Lester Stats, News, Photos - Boston Red Sox - ESPN

[love_that_reefer]

Great moves by the Red Sox proving they are the best run franchise in the game today. They have locked up Pedroia, Youkilis and now Lester. Papelbon should be next.

[love_that_reefer]

Apparently this is not a done deal yet.