WASHINGTON – Left-handers Jon Lester and the Washington Nationals have signed a one-year contract agreement in principle, pending the successful completion of a physical examination, a person with knowledge of the agreement has confirmed to The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Monday night because the contract was not yet official.
ESPN first signed an agreement between Lester and the Nationals, whose manager, Dave Martinez, was the coach of the Chicago Cubs when the starting lineup helped the club win the 2016 World Series for its first title in 108 years .
Lester is expected to address the need for a no. 4 starter in Washington will complement, which will turn into a rotation led by three-time winner of the Cy Young Award, Max Scherzer, the 2019 World Series MVP and leftist Patrick Corbin.
With the final finish in the North East in 2020, Washington’s busy off-season has already included outfielder Kyle Schwarber in a free agency – like Lester, of the Cubs – and Josh Bell, the first baseman, in the trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates was added.
Lester turned 37 this month and will go to his 16th season in 2021. He has a 193-111 record and 3.60 ERA for his career, which has been spent mostly with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, plus part of one season with the Oakland Athletics.
Lester is a workhorse who has scored 200 innings in eight regular seasons and is still throwing at least 170 in the last three full years.
He was also a post-season star and drafted a 2.51 ERA over 154 overs while helping Boston win a World Cup before being a part of Chicago’s title.
Lester played 61 innings over 12 starts during the 2020 season and won 3-3 with a career high of 5.16 for the Cubs.
Its $ 25 million mutual option for 2021 was rejected by the Cubs in October, completing a $ 155 million six-year contract and enabling Lester to become a free agent. Lester owes a $ 10 million buyout by Chicago: $ 2 million on each December 31 from 2022 to 2026.
He was 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171, with the Cubs.