Jon Lester. Stud.

[Orange Juiced]

Jon Lester was pretty bad in 2012, which led many pundits and Sox fans to question whether he was a top tier pitcher anymore. Well, he bounced back with a solid 2013 and has been incredible during these playoffs. Here is his playoff game log for 2013:

 

ALDS game 1, vs TB: 7.2 ip, 3 h, 2 r, 2 er, 3 bb, 7 k (W)

ALCS game 1, vs Det: 6.1 ip, 6 h, 1 r, 1 er, 1 bb, 4 k (L)

ALCS game 5, at Det: 5.1 ip, 7 h, 2 r, 2 er, 3 bb, 3 k (W)

WS game 1, vs StL: 7.2 ip, 5 h, 0 r, 0 er, 1 bb, 8 k (W)

WS game 5, at StL: 7.2 ip, 1 h, 1 r, 1 er, 0 bb, 7 k (W)

 

4-1, 34.2 ip, 25 h, 6 r, 6 er, 8 bb, 29 k, 1.56 era, 0.95 whip, 7.5 k/9

 

The guy has been unbelievable. And for his career, here are his postseason stats:

 

as starter: 11 g, 73.0 ip, 56 h, 16 er, 20 bb, 63 k, 1.97 era, 1.04 whip, 7.8 k/9

overall: 13 g, 76.2 ip, 59 h, 18 er, 21 bb, 68 k, 2.11 era, 1.04 whip, 8.0 k/9

 

I mean, those are just incredible numbers.

 

He will get today and tomorrow off, and then, if needed, he should be able to give the Sox 2-3 innings of relief in game 7, since it would have been his scheduled day for a bullpen session if this was a normal week, and also since there are no more games after game 7 this year anyway. So I expect he could give the Sox a few innings if they need him.

 

Just an amazing pitcher who has carried the Sox throughout this playoff run.

[sk7326]

During his May/June issues - I pegged him as still a very valuable starter to resign on the basis of durability alone. Any guy who can crank out 200+ IP at a 4-ish or less ERA is innately valuable, if nothing else to help you organize the rest of your pitching staff.

 

That said, he has clearly found his mechanics again, and has been either excellent or resourceful (his ALCS Game 5) all postseason. I don't need the Small Sample Size warning with him - he is our rock. He is someone you never stop being proud of - just knowing everything he had to deal with to get to a "quality starter". Exercise the option and give him 5/90 without blinking - even if he does slip from this level, his ability to just stay healthy and consistent is enough to justify the investment.

[Dojji]

It's hard to imagine Jon Lester pitching two bigger games in his life than the two he just pitched most recently. I doubt we see him again this year but ya never know.

[Orange Juiced]

I absolutely think he'll very much be available to pitch some in game 7, if indeed we get that far.

[sk7326]

I absolutely think he'll very much be available to pitch some in game 7, if indeed we get that far.

 

Everybody but Lackey is available for a Game 7 ... and Peavy will have an extremely quick hook ...

[jung]

If Peavy throws ball 1 to start the game, Farrell may be on his way to the mound. Obviously I am just kidding but Jake should feel like he has zero room for error and zero is in fact the right number.

[sk7326]

If Peavy throws ball 1 to start the game, Farrell may be on his way to the mound. Obviously I am just kidding but Jake should feel like he has zero room for error and zero is in fact the right number.

 

In a Game 7, I'd reckon Farrell would be thrilled if Peavy could get him the first 9 outs and then start matching up ...

[Palodios]

I was about to make a similar thread, with the token title "Can we talk about Jon Lester?"

 

We can talk about Victorino's game 6 heroics, or Papi's grand slam, but these playoffs were Jon Lester's show. With 12 teams in the playoffs, there wasn't a player that made as significant an impact as Lester.

 

He beat Sachez, Moore, Wainright, Wainright. He pitched better than David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, Scherzer. Verlander was untouchable, but the Tigers went 1-2 in his games. The only game Lester was a 0-1 shutout one-hitter.

[Palodios]

The real question is -- now what? Do they try to re-sign him this offseason? Is 5/100 going to be even remotely close enough for him?

 

Do they sell high after an amazing World Series performance, when other teams are probably drooling to see Lester on their roster for a deep postseason run? Or will they wait until midseason/next offseason and see what happens?

 

And ofcourse, the big question is -- if Jon Lester hasn't proven himself to be a legit ace, what more does he need to do?

[jung]

And ofcourse, the big question is -- if Jon Lester hasn't proven himself to be a legit ace, what more does he need to do?

 

He does not have to prove a damned thing anymore. But at the time when he uttered those now famous words "I don't know what more I can do. I don't know what other level there is" there was another level for him to seek and achieve. Now that he has achieved it, if he really decides to take that to the bank to the max it is going to be worth tens of millions of $. He already had proven his durability as a starter which is automatically a big check mark on the plus side. Now you add pitching at the highest level to quality to pitching at the highest level under max pressure to durability and he can just about name his price.

 

I think he likes it here. I think he likes Farrell and Nieves. So while he might not make it as easy as Pedey made it, I don't think he will take the Sox all the way to the max. That might be wishful thinking on my part but I really think there is a good chance that he will ultimately make an effort to make it easier for the Sox to keep him than it will be for another team to take him when the time comes.

 

If he looks in the mirror and is honest with himself there was another level for him to seek and to achieve. I doubt he will hold it against people for asking that he see in himself what so many saw in him.

[sk7326]

The real question is -- now what? Do they try to re-sign him this offseason? Is 5/100 going to be even remotely close enough for him?

 

Do they sell high after an amazing World Series performance, when other teams are probably drooling to see Lester on their roster for a deep postseason run? Or will they wait until midseason/next offseason and see what happens?

 

And ofcourse, the big question is -- if Jon Lester hasn't proven himself to be a legit ace, what more does he need to do?

 

The distance between Lester and a true ace (and there are only a handful of them) is probably a matter of talent more than anything Lester can do on his own. But that's OK - he seems a lock to be a quality #2 sort of starter for the next couple of years and his durability allows him to remain useful for 4-5 more. I don't want to give a big extension to a pitcher in his 30s, but he is one of the guys i don't worry about being able to create value over the life of the deal.

[vjcsmoke]

The real question is -- now what? Do they try to re-sign him this offseason? Is 5/100 going to be even remotely close enough for him?

 

Do they sell high after an amazing World Series performance, when other teams are probably drooling to see Lester on their roster for a deep postseason run? Or will they wait until midseason/next offseason and see what happens?

 

And ofcourse, the big question is -- if Jon Lester hasn't proven himself to be a legit ace, what more does he need to do?

 

I don't think you sell Lester right now. He's a great fit for the team, and pitchers, unlike position players tend to have longer shelf lives. He has also been pretty durable for us which is another indicator that he is deserving of a long term extension. Lester put on a dominant WS and I don't think we will see much slippage from him over the coming years. I think any long term deal should have some incentives to protect somewhat from missed appearances due to injury, but I think he is a top of the rotation starter for at least the next 5 years. This is the type of pitcher you need to win a World Series.

[Behindenemylines]

I was about to make a similar thread, with the token title "Can we talk about Jon Lester?"

 

We can talk about Victorino's game 6 heroics, or Papi's grand slam, but these playoffs were Jon Lester's show. With 12 teams in the playoffs, there wasn't a player that made as significant an impact as Lester.

 

He beat Sachez, Moore, Wainright, Wainright. He pitched better than David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, Scherzer. Verlander was untouchable, but the Tigers went 1-2 in his games. The only game Lester was a 0-1 shutout one-hitter.

 

It was debated during the season if the Sox had an ace. An during the season the answer was always a no. We had a bunch of twos and threes. During the playoffs Lester elevated himself to ace status. The Sox should be looking to lock him up past 2014. He is home grown, a lefty, has been part of two championships, and is a work horse for the staff. He pitched some big innings this playoffs. He shined in front of the bright lights of the World Series. You can make the case he should have been the MVP.

[seabeachfred]

The real question is -- now what? Do they try to re-sign him this offseason? Is 5/100 going to be even remotely close enough for him?

 

Do they sell high after an amazing World Series performance, when other teams are probably drooling to see Lester on their roster for a deep postseason run? Or will they wait until midseason/next offseason and see what happens?

 

And ofcourse, the big question is -- if Jon Lester hasn't proven himself to be a legit ace, what more does he need to do?

 

Pal, I think the problem might have been with Lester himself and in his head. Didn't some stories come out about Jon complaining about what the Red Sox expected from him and his reluctance to take on the mantle of ace? Well he was forced to take on that mantle this season and from the ASB on wore it like a crown. It is pretty much accepted that Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, and yet the Cardinals beat him twice, one time hammering the hell out of him. Lester took down the Rays, the Tigers and twice the Cardinals and pitched like he was the best in baseball. I suppose now the Red Sox should be putting together enough cash to keep him in Red Sox red for another five or so years. He has revived his career IMO and is now a credible ace.

Edited November 3, 2013 by seabeachfred

[Behindenemylines]

Do the Sox extend Lester this off season or do they wait? I think the FO extends Lester and he leads the staff for another five years.

[User Name]

They'll wait until the new deal doesn't affect 2014 payroll.

[marklmw]

Get Lester a catcher and he can win 20.

[Behindenemylines]

I'm hearing that he would take a Pedey hometown discount to stay in Boston long term. With the $pankees lefty heavy lineup we need Lester and an improving Doubrount.