WASHINGTON – Left-wing Jon Lester and Washington nationals have an agreement in principle set for a one-year contract, pending the successful completion of a physical exam, confirmed a person with knowledge of the according to The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday night because the contract was not yet official.
ESPN was the first to report an agreement between Lester and the nationals, whose manager, Dave Martinez, was the Chicago Cubs bench coach when the starting pitcher helped that club win the 2016 World Series for his first title in 108 years.
Lester is expected to meet the need for a No. 4 starter in Washington, leaning toward a rotation led by award-winning triplet Cy Young Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP and left-hander Patrick Corbin.
By finishing last in NL East in 2020, Washington’s heady season already included adding camper Kyle Schwarber through free agency (like Lester, of the Cubs) and first baseman Josh Bell in a trade with the Pirates of Pittsburgh.
Lester turned 37 this month and will reach his 16th season in 2021. He has a record of 193-111 and 3.60 effects for his career, which happened mostly with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, as well. of a part of a season with Oakland Athletics.
Lester is a workhorse who has surpassed 200 innings in eight regular seasons and has still pitched at least 170 in each of the last three full years.
He has also been a postseason star and has averaged 2.51 effects in 154 innings while helping Boston win a couple of world series championships before being part of the Chicago title.
Lester threw 61 innings in 12 starts during the reduced 2020 pandemic season, going from 3 to 3 with an ERA of 5.16 for the Cubs ’run.
His $ 25 million mutual option for 2021 was rejected by the Cubs in October, completing a $ 155 million contract and allowing Lester to become a free agent. Lester is owed a $ 10 million purchase by Chicago: $ 2 million every December 31, 2022 to 2026.
He was 77-44 years old with an ERA of 3.64 in 171 starts with the Cubs.