Chicago Cubs reportedly make an offer to lefty Jon Lester

After being notably quiet since the Joe Maddon signing, the Chicago Cubs have reportedly gotten things rolling this offseason, extending a contract offer to free agent left-hander Jon Lester, according to David Kaplan of CSN Chicago.

“What I’m hearing is the Chicago Cubs have made a significant offer – significant north of $135 million,” Kaplan said.

The 30-year-old has been the team’s top target for much of the offseason, and that seems to be something that is not likely to change anytime soon. However, the southpaw comes with a high asking price and has drawn interest from a number of teams, including the division rival St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox – and most recently, the San Francisco Giants.

With San Francisco losing fan favorite third baseman Pablo Sandoval to Boston on Tuesday, the team appears ready to ensure that it does not continue its recent pattern of losing seasons in the aftermath of a World Series championship. Adding Lester to the mix with the likes of Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain would form one of, if not, the best starting rotations in all of Major League Baseball.

According to Kaplan, it’s not just something Giants GM Brian Sabean is just kicking the tires on, either.

“The other thing that I’m hearing is, the Giants aren’t just making cursory interest,” Kaplan said. “They are definitely interested.”

Last season, Lester began the year with the Red Sox, looking to repeat as world champions. However, the team’s season quickly spiraled downward and the ace, as well as several other key pieces of the roster, were swapped in a deal with Oakland that brought Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to Boston. Despite the trade, Red Sox owner John Henry said the team is still hoping to bring back Lester, who played integral parts in the club’s recent successes.

Lester’s camp has been on record saying that he’s looking for comfort – not necessarily the largest contract – something that could hinder teams like the Cubs’ pursuits this offseason. Boston, where the left-hander spent his entire big league career prior to 2014, could very well emerge as a front-runner, although no official reports have come forth of late.

As noted, Henry is hoping to add Lester, despite his team’s spending spree on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.

“Obviously we’re doing everything we can to sign a top-tier pitcher, Jon Lester,” he said. “And hopefully he’ll come back.”

With the pursuit of Lester heating up, Cubs fans should do their best to temper expectations. He’s not a pitcher who can necessarily be bought and with the number of contending suitors interested, there’s no guarantee a top offer will even come from Chicago. That being said, he would be a major step forward for an organization looking to emerge as a winner in 2015.