Jon Lester Signs Five-Year Extension with Boston Red Sox

Jon Lester, a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has agreed to a five-year, $30 million extension with the team.

In 2002, the Boston Red Sox drafted Lester with their second round pick. He rose through their system as one of their top prospects, and it looks like he is finally seeing his full potential, with a breakout season in 2008. He is part of the Red Sox young core of All-Star caliber players, joining second baseman Dustin Pedroia and first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Jon Lester has had some amazing accomplishments in his short stint with the Boston Red Sox to date. He has thrown a no-hitter on May 19, 2008 against the Kansas City Royals. In addition, he pitched the World Series-winning game four for the Red Sox in 2007.

In 2006, Lester was diagnosed with a treatable cancer (lymphoma). He was eventually declared cancer-free later on. He has been one of the most inspirational stories for baseball and for individuals involved with cancer across the country. The media buzzed about Lester's massive success in baseball, especially after he won the World Series game in 2007.

Lester had a fantastic year with the Red Sox in 2008, posting career numbers in almost every statistical category. He recorded a record of 16 wins and 6 losses. He had an ERA of 3.21 with a 1.27 WHIP. Whether he can continue to post those numbers, however, remains to be seen. Lester had a big workload in 2008, and it may catch up to him this season.

The Boston Red Sox website lists Jon Lester as the second starting pitcher on their depth chart. The Red Sox have a strong group of starting pitchers, led by Josh Beckett. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and Clay Buchholz round out the rotation, which should sort itself out before the end of spring training. They should go with a five-man starting rotation.

Seeing how Jon Lester has risen through the Red Sox system, this is a great signing for them. The Red Sox have the ability to sign big name free agents and trade their youth for immediate help at need positions, but with Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Lester, they have showed their fans that they are willing to build their team through the draft without jumping to rushed moves. Lester has been involved in some trade talks, but the Red Sox have been able to keep him, and they are reaping great rewards for doing so. He should continue to play a massive role in the Boston Red Sox success in 2009.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3962527