The Cubs have declined the left-hander Jon Lester’s 2021 club option, officially making the veteran southpaw a free agent. The move comes as no surprise as Lester had a pricey $25 million club option for next season.
Lester, 36, was 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this season.
While the Cubs’ declined Lester’s option, there is still room for a return to the North Side. Declining next year’s option is the first step toward that return.
“We’ve had conversations about coming back and being a part of this organization,” Lester said on MLB Network Radio.