WASHINGTON – Left-handed Jon Lester and Washington Nationals have a principle agreement in place for a one-year contract, pending the successful completion of a physical examination, a person with knowledge of the business, confirmed to The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Monday night because the contract was not yet officialized.
ESPN was the first to report an agreement between Lester and the Nationals, whose manager, Dave Martinez, was the reserve coach of the Chicago Cubs when the initial pitcher helped the club win the 2016 World Series for its first title in 108 years. .
Lester is expected to fill the need for a No. 4 starter in Washington by entering a rotation led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, World Series 2019 MVP and leftist Patrick Corbin.
Coming from a final submission at NL East in 2020, Washington’s low season already included the addition of outfielder Kyle Schwarber via a free agency – like Lester of the Cubs – and first baseman Josh Bell in an exchange with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lester turned 37 this month and will be entering his 16th season in 2021. He has a record 193-111 and 3.60 ERA in his career, which was spent mostly with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, as well as part of a season with Oakland Athletics.
Lester is a workhorse who has surpassed 200 entries in eight regular seasons and has even played at least 170 in each of the past three full years.
He was also a postseason star, presenting an ERA of 2.51 out of 154 entries while helping Boston win two World Series championships before taking part in the Chicago title race.
Lester threw 61 entries in 12 matches during the shortened 2020 pandemic season, going 3-3 with an ERA of 5.16 for the Cubs, the career record.
His $ 25 million mutual option for 2021 was turned down by the Cubs in October, completing a six-year $ 155 million contract and allowing Lester to become a free agent. Lester owes a $ 10 million acquisition by Chicago: $ 2 million each December 31, 2022 to 2026.
He was 77-44 years old with an ERA of 3.64 in 171 matches with the Cubs.