The Washington Nationals have signed left-handed pitcher Jon Lester to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. Now, details of the contract have been revealed.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, Lester’s deal is worth $5 million. He will receive a guarantee of $2 million this upcoming season. He also receives a $3 million signing bonus that will be deferred to 2023.
Nightengale adds, Lester will make twice as much from his $10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs in November.
There is no mention of the mutual option reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
For the Nationals, it’s a low-risk taking a chance with the 15-year veteran Lester. He’d hope to return to the Cubs, but Chicago appeared set to move on.
Along with Kyle Schwarber, Lester is the second cost-effective signing by the Nationals of a former Cubs player.
Lester and Washington hope the pandemic-shortened year last season was an aberration for him. In 12 starts, he had a career-worst 5.16 ERA. He also had a career-low 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Still, Lester had six starts in which he allowed one run or less, showing flashes he can be dominant on the mound.
Slotting in fourth behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin may be ideal for 37-year old Jon Lester.
