Report: Jon Lester open to in-season deal if 'consistent with marketplace'
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, Jon Lester would be open to signing a new deal with the Boston Red Sox during the season that is "consistent with the marketplace."
Bradford's report contradicts Red Sox principal owner John Henry, who told the Boston Herald Thursday that Lester and the team have agreed to wait until after the season to discuss his contract.
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From WEEI:
If the Sox were to make an offer in line with what the market has produced in terms of recent contracts for pitchers of Lester’s status, the source added, such an offer would permit an efficient resolution as to whether the basis for an in-season extension existed, thus avoiding concerns about potential distractions for either the pitcher or his teammates.
Lester, who's currently in the last season of his contract, is 10-7 with a 2.50 ERA and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings this year. The 30-year-old's ERA is the lowest of his career.
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