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WASHINGTON – Southpaw Jon Lester and the Washington Nationals have reached a tentative deal for a one-year contract, pending a successful physical exam, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press .
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Monday evening as the contract was not yet official.
ESPN were the first to report a deal between Lester and the Nationals, whose manager Dave Martinez was bench coach for the Chicago Cubs when the starting pitcher helped the club win the 2016 World Series for their first title. in 108 years.
Lester is expected to fill the need for a No.4 starter in Washington, entering a rotation led by three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP and southpaw Patrick Corbin.
After finishing in last place at NL East in 2020, Washington’s busy offseason already included the addition of outfielder Kyle Schwarber via free agency – like Lester, of the Cubs – and first baseman Josh Bell in a trade. with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lester turned 37 this month and will start his 16th season in 2021. He has a 193-111 record and a 3.60 GPA for his career, which has mostly been spent with the Boston Red Sox and Cubs. from Chicago, as well as part of a season with the Oakland Athletics.
Lester is a workaholic who has passed 200 innings in eight regular seasons and still pitched at least 170 in each of the past three full years.
He was also a playoff star, posting a 2.51 ERA in 154 innings while helping Boston win two World Series championships before entering the Chicago title race.
Lester pitched 61 innings in 12 starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, going 3-3 with a 5.16 career average for the Cubs.
His $ 25 million mutual option for 2021 was turned down by the Cubs in October, securing a six-year, $ 155 million contract and allowing Lester to become a free agent. Lester owes a $ 10 million buyout by Chicago: $ 2 million every December 31 from 2022 to 2026.
He was 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 starts with the Cubs.
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