Jon Lester is in high demand this offseason. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
The San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs appear to be interested in landing free-agent pitcher Jon Lester, according to reports Tuesday.
After the Giants lost third baseman Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox, it was reported that Lester has a meeting next week with the World Series champions.
Other reports indicated that the Cubs offered the left-hander a six-year contract worth more than $135 million.
Both teams are attempting to bolster their starting pitching.
In San Francisco, Lester would join fellow left-hander Madison Bumgarner at the top of a rotation that could include right-hander Tim Lincecum and 39-year-old Tim Hudson. Right-hander Matt Cain underwent elbow surgery in July.
Lester finished last season with the Oakland Athletics after a deal with the Red Sox at the trade deadline in July. With Lester boosting the A’s staff, Oakland reached the playoffs before losing 9-8 in 12 innings to the Kansas City Royals in the American League wild-card game.
The 31-year-old Lester was 6-4 with a 2.35 ERa in 11 starts with the A’s and 16-11 overall with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts last season between the two teams. He logged a career-high 219 2/3 innings.
According to reports, the Cubs’ offer is significantly higher than what the Red Sox proposed for Lester to return to Boston. In addition to the Cubs and Giants, the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals also could be interested in Lester.
