Agree, but for the money and the wait (Lester and the Cubs) there will be high expectations right away.

Well according to RPB Max Scherzer is going to make $38M a season. Lester may be the bargain bin option.

I believe Lester is a guy who can shoulder the burden.

Shields is the guy who will disappoint you if you think you are getting an ace.

This one belongs in the Cubs Rumor Hall of Fame next to the Theo at Starbucks story, but hopefully this story ends just as well for the Cubs. According to long-time reader Mike Caldwell, a caller on MLB Network radio said that Jon Lester was inquiring about hunting property in Dutch Creek, which is near Johnsburg, IL and a little south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

Obviously this rumor is a bit thin and should be taken with an entire shaker of salt (Salt! Salt! Salt!), but would seem like a positive sign for the Cubs given Lester's reputation for hunting and fishing. (Not a shot at Mike, but radio show call-ins aren't exactly the strongest of sources...unless the caller was a teenager of course)

But since we can't have nice things, I've also seen reports of Lester checking out property in Pike County, IL which is southwest of Springfield. And about 100 miles north of, sigh, St. Louis.

Obviously all speculation at this point, but we should remember that Chicago is still the only visit Lester has made during his recruitment. All other teams have met with Lester at his home in Georgia.

I think the myth of James Shields the Ace was pretty much shattered in the post season

Couldn't you say the same about Lester?

JORR, just so I am clear, are you saying the Cubs would be dumb to sign Lester? Or are you going to pan the Plan when they don't sign Lester?

I'd take Shields at 5/80 before Lester at 7/150. Shields is without a doubt a regular season ace. No fucking doubt in my mind, the dude has been overall everything the Royals wanted and more. Count on Cubs fans to pretend they already have the division won, this whole laughable search for guys with POSTSEASON SUCCESS when the team has been intentionally terrible for a half decade. Let's work on one thing at time, alright?

As for the contract, it'll be a bad contract no matter who you get (5/80 for Shields is ludicrous, and it's still better than 7 years for Lester). The Cubs though seem to think their window is opening now and want the arm, and you don't really want to pencil in Jake Arrieta for the wild card game*. You get him, try for about 3 years before his arm falls off, then either get what you wanted so desperately or the window slams back shut.

* I am literally laughing at the thought. Arrieta vs Madison Bumgarner. Win (nope) or go home (start drafting the season in review article right now).

I think the longer this plays out the worse it is for the Cubs. Clearly he is thinking about returning to BOS and if in fact one of the California teams is throwing out big numbers (not to mention the NYY) then that would force the Cubs into crazy number territory north (maybe well north) of 150M.

Not good.

So you're saying that Arrietta vs one of the best post season pitchers ever seen would be tough for the Cubs to win?motherfuck man, you sure bring the knowledge when you post.

Fine, you're facing Adam Wainwright, Gerritt Cole (they will not have Volquez do that again), Jose Fernandez, Johnny Cueto.... whatever. Show me a playoff caliber NL team and their top pitcher just blows the Cubs' out of the water.

I would pass on Lester. Especially if Lester is looking for $150M+. He had his best season last year and he has never won 20 games. He's an above average pitcher. You don't pay an above average guy elite money just because he is left handed. James Shields is an innings eater and reminds of a guy like Kevin Brown. He's going to pitch until he's 40 and will probably come at half the price of Lester. It's an easy decision. He's a Maddon guy too.

What the hell, I would. Post op is OK right? Right?!?!?!

I'd take Shields at 5/80 before Lester at 7/150. Shields is without a doubt a regular season ace.

Lester isn't more than an above average pitcher coming off a great season.

He's probably like top 15-20 in MLB right?

I'll take any of the big three. Im not really worried about Ricketts money. They have 2 spots to fill in the rotation at least.

He's probably like top 15-20 in MLB right?

I'll take any of the big three. Im not really worried about Ricketts money. They have 2 spots to fill in the rotation at least.

What the hell, I would. Post op is OK right? Right?!?!?!

You have low standards then

How many aces are there in baseball?

Probably about 30. Many teams have two, other have none.

Shields isn't Clayton Kershaw by any means, but he's also a lot better than Jake Arrieta.

I don't waste my time with the Cubs.

Just because a buy is a teams number one starter does not make him an ACE.... by your own admission Arrieta is not an ACE yet he was number 9 in the Cy Young voting ...and I agree with you Jake is nOT an ACE..... I would love to your list of 30 ACES..... my list is short

Kershaw
Wainwright
Mad Baum
King Felix
Sale
Mad Max
Lester
Price
in the almost there
Cueto
Hamels
Greinke
Jose Fernandez lets see how his arm is
one year Kluber
maybe after one year Arrieta

That's 14 but only 8 that I would call a REAL ACE...even if you take all 14 name 16 more..... I say impossible.