It does seem a little crazy to say that 6 years 150 mil is ok, but 7 years and whatever more would be crossing the line. If you are going that high you might as well get the guy you want.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

My guess is that he signs with the Cubs for 7 years and $170M

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

ChicagoCubsOnline retweeted
Andy Martino ‏@MartinoNYDN 9m9 minutes ago

Sources: Decision coming soon on Jon Lester (but maybe in morning); #Cubs in strong position http://nydn.us/1wbxUmq #RedSox

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Sources tell me Lester has to do some cleaning before making a decision. #Vacuuming

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

If you stick with that reasoning, suddenly your payroll is at $180M a season minimum since you're paying every player you want $2-$5 per season more than you'd like to.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

True. Clearly you could not go after everyone with that attitude. But in special situations it would be fine.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I guess the thinking is if you overpay for a player that is very good then you have to go further for a player that is great.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Reports in the Cubs get him for 6/155

Free-agent left-hander Jon Lester has elected to sign with the Chicago Cubs, sources told ESPN's Jim Bowden.

The deal is for six years and $155 million, a source confirmed to ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers.

The 30-year-old left-hander went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA for the Athletics after he was acquired in a blockbuster trade deadline deal with the Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Overall, he was 16-11 with a career-best 2.45 ERA in 2014.

He was on the hill for the A's in the American League wild-card game against the Kansas City Royals and left in the 8th inning with runners on first and second with one out and his team leading 7-4. The Royals eventually won the game 9-8 in 12 innings.

He is noted for his performance in the postseason where he has a solid 6-4 record and 2.57 ERA in 14 appearances. He's been dominant in the World Series where he is 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA in three starts, helping the Red Sox win two championships.

Lester, who has a career mark of 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in nine seasons, rejected a four-year, $70 million contract extension offer from the Red Sox in the spring. He was paid $13 million last season.

Here we go....

Good start.

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You know me like that.

Ricketts is broke, he's cheap, this plan won't work because.....oh.

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Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe

Theo.







Back to bed.

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

Awesome.

Good job Theo.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

To quote Animal House:

"Oh boy is this great"!!!!!

This is real money. I hope it works out, I really do.

_________________
Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I wonder what happens now with the TV deal for next year?

Does WGN re-enter the picture maybe on a creative revenue sharing deal??

And with that, they are officially trying to win.

Report: Max Scherzer is seeking more than $200 million
Mike Oz By Mike Oz
7 hours ago
Big League Stew


View photo
.(USA TODAY Sports)
(USA TODAY Sports)
SAN DIEGO — You didn't think this dragged-out Jon Lester sweepstakes was going to be the big-money story of the offseason did you?
Max Scherzer is looming and his payday is going to be even bigger.

The Chicago Cubs agreed to pay Lester $155 million for six seasons Tuesday. Next, sometime between now and March, Scherzer's going to get a deal that's far more obscene.

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Scherzer, 30, and his agent Scott Boras are seeking more than $200 million when it's their turn to negotiate.

Here's the list of MLB players who have signed contracts worth more than $200 million. You'll notice it's not extraordinarily long:

• Giancarlo Stanton ($325 million)
• Alex Rodriguez, ($275 million and $252 million)
• Miguel Cabrera, ($248 million)
• Albert Pujols ($240 million)
• Robinson Cano ($240 million)
• Joey Votto ($225 million)
• Clayton Kershaw ($215 million)
• Prince Fielder ($214 million)

You'll also notice there's only one pitcher on that list, so Scherzer will be joining elite company if he gets his $200 million payday. Don't count it out, either. He already turned down a $144 million extension from the Detroit Tigers, then went out and finished another great season. The Tigers will want him back. Whichever team doesn't get Lester will want him. The Los Angeles Dodgers could want him. And there's always the Yankees.

For all the hype about Lester's decision, Scherzer is actually the No. 1 free agent on the market, according to Jeff Passan's Ultimate Free-Agent Tracker. Lester figured to get about $120-$130 million when the offseason started, and ended up with $155 million.

Since Lester has already driven up the market, and Scherzer employs baseball's best big-contract agent, there's no reason to think his name won't be on that $200-million list soon enough.

Glad to see they are trying to win but that is an awful lot of money. Sportscenter reported this morning
that the deal was $20 million dollars more than Boston offered and there is a 7th year option for an
additional $15 million. Chances of that kicking in are slim to none but thought it was interesting. Well
both Chicago teams are all in now so this should be an interesting summer assuming both teams make
some positive progress.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Ouch. IMU not happy today.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Damn. Damn. Damn.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

So do we call it a 6 year deal because for the 7th year to happen he'd have to still be pitching very well?

Im not sure how the 7th year option works

Congrats Cub fans. I sincerely hope this works for you guys. Long deal and a lot of cash for older pitcher though.

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Elections have consequences.

Kicks in if he hits 200 ip in the 6th year, or 400 total ip over years 5-6.

Boston's final offer was 6yr/$135M. The Cubs offer was 6yr/$155M and an option for a 7th year. Huh

Amazing he signed for what he did considering the Red Sox offered 4 years at $70m last spring. Heck of a contract for a guy who has never been higher than 4th in Cy Young voting...however, he does seem like the kind of guy who will give you very good performance over most of the contract, in contrast to a guy who peaks and then blows out his arm or just loses it completely.

_________________

Scherzer is not getting $200M. Boras is about to be let down. Scherzer is not near Kershaw. Kershaw is a once in a generation talent.

Lester signed for 6 years, $155M not including options, which are never included when talking about guarantees. I had guessed 6/~$150M. This is overpaying. Boston offered 6/$135M. But the Cubs wanted him and were willing to pay the price.

Now Cubs fans hope it won't be regretted.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.