Red Sox expect to reopen contract talks with pitcher Jon Lester

Two-time All-Star Jon Lester has spent his entire eight-year career with the Red Sox. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox announced will continue to engage in contract talks with pitcher Jon Lester in hopes of signing him before he reaches free agency in the offseason.

Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino appeared on WEEI Radio Thursday and said the team and Lester had contract talks during the season.

Lester reportedly turned down a four-year, $70 million deal. He is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract extension he signed in 2009.

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“I think it’s a mistake to discuss the status of ongoing negotiations as it is a mistake to get fixated on an opening offer,” Lucchino said.

Lester, 30, is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts in 73 innings this season for the Red Sox, who have won three games in a row and are eight games back of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

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