Massive Yankees, Red Sox, Giants & Dodgers Mistake: Jon Lester Shuns Suitors, Signs With Surprise Team In MLB "Earthquake"

In a move called "an earthquake" for baseball, former Oakland A's and Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester has signed a six year, $155 million dollar contract... not with former team the Red Sox as expected, but with the upstart Chicago Cubs. In an offseason full of notable moves, the Lester signing is massive, and will likely set off a whole train of player movement with the Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies now all looking to solidify their rosters. Now that the free agent market has been set, we can expect some fireworks!

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reported the Lester news, adding that the Cubs outbid the Red Sox by $20 million, saying they "were runners-up after a final offer of six years and $135 million."

In typically non-effusive fashion, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal called it "an earthquake. For the Cubs. For the NL Central. For baseball."

According to an ESPN report, Lester signed for "six years and $155 million." A source reportedly confirmed the note to ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers, which includes "a signing bonus of $30 million" as well as a "no trade clause and a $25 million vesting option for the 2021 season" which could make the contract worth $170 million over its course.

Lester – who, as reported by MStars News, was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Oakland As for home run king Yoenis Cespedes at the MLB trade deadline this past season – tweeted out his excitement at joining the Chicago Cubs his thanks to Red Sox nation, saying he understood "their disappointment".

Extremely difficult decision for me and my family but we love the outcome and couldn't be more excited to join the Cubs organization! #NVRQT

— Jon Lester (@JLester31) December 10, 2014

To Red Sox Nation, I understand the disappointment. Boston will always have a big place in my heart and we'll always consider y'all family! — Jon Lester (@JLester31) December 10, 2014

As for the Cubs, as ESPN's Keith Law says, along with the Lester signing and the addition of catcher Miguel Montero – as well as new manager, former Tampa Bay Rays honcho Joe Maddon – the Cubs are "wining this offseason," with Lester putting them into contention.

As ESPN's Buster Olney pointed out, Red Sox fans should be upset about the signing, saying Red Sox owner John Henry and president/CEO Larry Lucchino "should get on a conference call today" to apologize, "and simply say: 'We blew it'."

Olney goes on to point out that the Red Sox blew it almost from the start, offering a contract extension that was well below market price for starting pitchers, and that hamstrung the team in its negotiations. As he says,"players who knew him well were convinced that if the Red Sox opened with a $100 million offer and worked their way up to $110 million, it would be done, quickly. The Red Sox offer: $70 million over four years."

Ouch.

He goes on, saying "The strong perception among the other players was that the Red Sox, a financial powerhouse, were trying to take advantage of Lester."

What's left for the Red Sox and other teams in need of an ace is an over-priced market for starting pitching, with options including Detroit's Max Scherzer, Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals ace James Shields and Philadelphia Philly Cole Hamels, all of whom are either free agents or seem to be on the trade table.

What do you think –– was the signing of Lester a coup for Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs? A slap in the face for the Red Sox? Who should the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Dogers pursue now? Should the Red Sox throw assets at the Phillies for Hamels? How good can the Cubs be this year with Maddon and Lester?