In December of 2014, Jon Lester — then a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion — electrified Chicago with the announcement that he planned to sign with the Cubs. The deal was for six years and $155 million, which was no small sum for a man about to turn 31 years old. But since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer had so much confidence in the aging lefty, most fans were hopeful and willing to be patient.
Even if Lester never quite returns to the form he has displayed thus far, the investment will have been worth it.