2014 Year in Review: March Edition

Lester’s lowball offer from Red Sox

Mar 11, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws agaisnt the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of contracts, Jon Lester and the Red Sox had spent most of Spring Training beginning on working a new contract for the southpaw. However the Red Sox initial offer was reportedly 4 years and 70 million dollars, which was by most seen as a slap in the face to Lester and his accomplishments so far. Lester was reportedly “thrown off “ by the offer and once Lester had rejected that offer the two sides did not exchange offers until after the season. Lester commented about this after he signed a 6 year, $155 million dollar contract with the Cubs saying “We never received a [new] offer. The conversation had picked up. But there never was an offer thrown out there.” Lester only lasted half a season in Boston before being traded to Oakland where he went 6-4 and recorded a 2.35 ERA.