Chicago Cubs: Jon Lester defying Father Time at 35

When the Chicago Cubs signed Jon Lester–at 31–to a six-year deal to help the rebuild, some questioned it. In the fifth year of that contract, no one is questioning it.

Many teams look for young talent under control for several years and work to make a trade to get those guys in the system. The Chicago Cubs were always on the lookout for those types of arms. Kyle Hendricks was one of those. But in 2015, the Cubs decided to go ‘all-in’ during free agency, signing Jon Lester to a six-year deal worth $155 million, plus a team option for 2021. Lester was 31 years old, although well established as a ‘big game’ pitcher.’ But while the Cubs were close, this seemed a bit much. It’s turned out to be one of the best signings in Cubs history.

In 2015, Lester didn’t win over all the fans that thought his signing was a bad decision. While he posted a 3.34 ERA and a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)of 2.26, the 11-12 record had fans complaining that we spent too much money, and he was a bust already. In 2016, you couldn’t find that group anymore. Lester finished 19-5, second in Cy Young voting, with an ERA 2.44 in 202 2/3 innings.

Since 2016, Lester is 36-18 with 3.79 ERA. The numbers are starting to show some cracks, as his FIP has jumped to 4.19 over this time. Some will also point to his postseason record. He’s lost his last four appearances (three starts), which include three in 2018 and the Wild Card Game last season. So clearly he’s not the big game pitcher we paid for, right?

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Eh, not so fast, my friend.

In those four games, Lester has pitched 20 1/3 innings, allowing just four earned runs for a 1.77 ERA. He’s allowed just a .147 average to opponents. Lester hasn’t slipped, the offense has. The team has pushed across five runs in those four games. That ratio doesn’t often work.

Last night’s game is a perfect example of how vital Lester is to this team. In the first inning, he gave up a three-run home run to Marcell Ozuna, and a solo shot to Harrison Bader. Before the Cubs came to bat, they were down 4-0 to the Cardinals.

This is why Lester is often called a ‘grinder.’ He might not have his best stuff from start to start, but he’ll give everything he has. After those home runs, and a single by Kolten Wong in that first inning, the Cards went 1-for-17 against him, and never getting the ball out of the infield.

What looked to be a ‘bad’ start–even though it didn’t qualify as a quality start–turned out to be a great effort from Lester. Even at his ‘worst,’ he can still be dominant. And a tip of the hat to the Cubs bullpen, as Kyle Ryan, Brandon Kintzler and Tyler Chatwood combined for three innings of no-hit baseball while striking out six.

When the Cubs signed Lester, Theo Epstein admitted that they might not get the same Lester in the last years of the contract as the early ones. But it was about those first few years, and they paid out with three straight playoff appearances, and a World Series win in 2016. But if they were expecting a ‘let down’ in his final years, it hasn’t come. While Hendricks is becoming an ‘ace,’ Lester is still the Cubs ace.

The Cubs haven’t missed the playoffs since Lester got here. Age isn’t slowing him down. He keeps adapting, and hopefully, the Chicago Cubs change with him.