Report: Free agent P Jon Lester will meet with Cubs next week
Free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester will visit with the Chicago Cubs next week, reports WSCR-AM.
According to the report, Lester will visit Wrigley Field, which is undergoing renovations, for "a formal get-together with the Cubs brass and owner Tom Ricketts."
Lester, 30, is ranked as the offseason's No. 2 free agent by SI.com's Ben Reiter.
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Lester, who was traded at July's deadline from the Boston Red Sox to the Oakland Athletics, went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 219.2 innings in 2014.
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington reportedly met with Lester's agent Tuesday night. Lester spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with Boston, winning the World Series in 2007 and 2013.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein was Boston's GM when Lester signed a six-year deal with the Red Sox in 2008.
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Lester is a three-time All-Star, including an appearance this season, and pitched a no-hitter in 2008.
Chicago is also reportedly in trade talks with the Washington Nationals regarding starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.
- Molly Geary
