Obviously the biggest news of the day wasn’t the fact that the Boston Red Sox won a spring training game but the fact that Jon Lester has reportedly been signed to a 5-year extension worth $30 million. While no one will officially comment on it, Lester did offer this up:
“I think it’s in the process of hopefully at some point getting done,” Lester also said, as he left City of Palms Park at 3 p.m. “I couldn’t tell you when or what day.”
“Nothing that I know of has been finalized,” Lester said. “I’m sure when it does become final, if it does, we’ll announce it.”
Obviously this is something both Lester and the Red Sox have wanted. Previously the Red Sox hadn’t been quick to give long-term contracts to their younger players but have finally realized it’s the right thing to do. They have now signed Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Lester, three players who have come up through the Red Sox minor league system, to long-term deals.
They lock up one of the best young pitchers in the game in Lester who has shown that he can overcome anything after a bout with cancer. As a fan, it will be great to see Lester pitching in a Sox uniform for the foreseeable future.
We can expect the announcement as early as Tuesday when Lester takes a physical.
Much better showing for the Red Sox today after yesterday’s 6 error debacle. They got three solid innings from Justin Masterson and a couple of RBIs from Julio Lugo on their way to an 8-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Masterson allowed 1 hit in his 3 innings of work and had 3 strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon followed with an inning of work, allowing 2 hits while striking out 3. Daniel Bard continues to impress as he struck out the side in his inning today. Junichi Tazawa worked 2 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits while striking out four. Michael Bowden also worked an inning allowing a run.
Lugo had a perfect afternoon at the plate going 3-for-3 with the 2 RBI. Nick Green added 2 hits, including a home run while Ivan Ochoa also had 2 hits. Jonathan Van Every and Zach Daeges also homered for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox will head to Bradenton tomorrow to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lester will get the start for the Red Sox and Takashi Saito, Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen will get work out of the bullpen. There is no television or radio coverage of the game.
Red Sox in the WBC and links after the jump.
Some of the Red Sox players are also busy participating in the World Baseball Classic.
Red Sox farmhand Justin Erasmus didn’t see any action in South Africa’s 8-1 loss to Cuba. David Ortiz went 1-for-2 with a walk and RBI in the Dominican Republic’s 9-0 win over Panama. Red Sox minor leaguer Angel Chavez went 1-for-2 for Panama. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are playing right now in Team USA’s game against Venezuela. Another Sox minor leaguer, Mitch Dening, didn’t start for Australia in their game against Mexico that is currently being played.
Report: Extension for Lester [Extra Bases]
Pedroia, Youkilis react to Lester signing [Clubhouse Insider]
Dustin Pedroia reaction to Jon Lester news [Full Count]
Kevin Youkilis reaction to Jon Lester news [Full Count]
The power of Lugo [Extra Bases]
Penny’s pen [Extra Bases]
Left-Handed Knuckleballers [Full Count]
Lugo no fan of shortstop competition [Full Count]
Master-ful outing [Full Count]
Lugo: I’m no backup [Projo Sox Blog]
Lowell ready to go [Projo Sox Blog]
Dominican’s loss stuns Sox locker room [Projo Sox Blog]
Francona: Ortiz fine, Ellsbury likely to miss trip [Projo Sox Blog]
Masterson’s flexibility a Sox wild card [redsox.com]
Penny resumes throwing program [redsox.com]
Lester poised to stay awhile [Boston Globe]
