Chicago Cubs rumors: Two nine-figure pitchers not in the cards

While the idea of folding Max Scherzer and Jon Lester in the same Chicago Cubs starting rotation is undoubtedly the stuff of dreams, the anticipated price tag of such a reality is more nightmare-ish.

Thankfully, according to the Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, such a situation probably won’t play out this offseason, given the high level of risk involved in nine-figure contracts – especially when given to pitchers.

"“It’s hard to acquire pitching. Period,” Epstein said last week. “It’s hard to acquire top-of-the-rotation pitching. I’ve seen us linked. People predict that we’re going to sign two top-of-the-rotation starters who both require nine-figure contracts. That’s not happening."

He went on to elaborate on his last statement about such a move not happening, further eliminating any chance of such a move in the weeks or months to come – at least, for the time being.

"“Look at the history of nine-figure starting-pitching contracts and it’s a huge risk. So to put an organization in the position to have two such deals immediately in the course of the same offseason, I couldn’t imagine something like that occurring.”"

Lester, who has a well-documented history with Epstein during his time with the Boston Red Sox, has been oft-connected to Chicago of-late, and for good reason. The Cubs are seeking a front-of-the-line starting pitcher that is both dependable and elite. The southpaw fits both of those categories, while offering extensive postseason experience as well – something first-year manager Joe Maddon’s club lacks.

In 2014, the soon-to-be 31-year-old left-hander went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA that ranked fourth in the league, while amassing 220 strikeouts in the process. He was traded from Boston to the Oakland Athletics midseason in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, in a deal that failed to pay dividends for the A’s, who once again did not advance deep into the postseason.