BOSTON (AP) -The Red Sox and left-handed pitcher Jon Lester have agreed to terms for a five-year contract extension with a club option for 2014.
“We’re extremely happy to have gotten this done,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said on Sunday. “Jon is already a big part of this organization, and we project him to play an even greater role going forward.”
Boston didn’t disclose terms of the deal, but it has been widely reported to be for $30 million over five years with a $13 million team option.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Lester came back to go 4-0 in 2007 and then 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA last season. He threw 210 1-3 innings and made 33 starts – both team highs – in his first full season in the major leagues.
rth); in starts (tied for fifth); in innings pitched (tied for seventh); and wins (tied for eighth).
Boston’s second-round pick in 2002, Lester pitched a no-hitter May 19 against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.
He is the third homegrown Red Sox player recently to sign a long-term contract. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia and first baseman Kevin Youkilis came to terms this offseason, and closer Jonathan Papelbon agreed to a one-year deal in January.
“It’s a great organization. Besides the Yankees, it’s the most storied organization in baseball,” Lester said.
“The coolest part about this place is that you come up through the system with guys like Pedroia and Youkilis and Pap, and it’s fun to see them succeed, and be on the same team, and win a World Series together, and hopefully win some more.”
Lester said that with contract pressures now behind him, he and his family are free to relax, and he can continue working toward a World Series title with his teammates.
Manager Terry Francona has watched Lester’s progression over the last few seasons since the left-hander made his big league debut June 10, 2006, and his battle with cancer, which began later that summer.
r. We already think he’s pretty good.”
Francona said Lester was one of baseball’s best pitchers in the second half of last year.
“We all look to his size, his delivery, his work ethic, as somebody who can be very durable,” he said. “He’s a competitor on the field, he’s a great kid off the field, as everybody knows.”
Epstein said a contract extension with left-fielder Jason Bay, whom the Red Sox acquired from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline last year, appears unlikely at this time.
Bay is entering the final year of a four-year, $18.25 million contract, which he signed in 2006 while with the Pirates.
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