Cubs sign Jon Lester for 6 years, $155 million

Finally!!!

The Cubs have signed ace starting pitcher Jon Lester to a 6 year contract worth $155 million. The signing ends the pursuit of the most talked about free agents this offseason, after the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox going all in on him over the last few weeks.

We learned last night that the Giants and Dodgers were out of the Lester sweepstakes, so he was deciding between the Cubs and Red Sox. Makes sense since he is familiar with the guys who run the Cubs. What I don't understand is why he was considering the Red Sox when their offer was $20 million less than the Cubs offer.

Jon Lester, Cubs agree on six-year, $155M deal, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Red Sox are runners-up. Their final bid: six for $135M.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2014

Here is my initial reaction to the Red Sox offer:

LRT: wow Red Sox were $20 million under the Cubs offer! Can someone tell me the purpose of John Henry's visit last weekend? #slapintheface

— Ray Guilfoyle (@faketeams) December 10, 2014

Adding Lester certainly improves the Cubs starting rotation, that features breakout starter Jake Arrieta and recently signed Jason Hammel.

I have Lester ranked in the 10-12 range in my 2015 Starting Pitcher rankings, but may move him up a few spots now that he is in the National League. I will update my rankings over the next few days.

Hopefully we can see the trade market open up now that Lester has signed. Maybe the Red Sox trade for Cole Hamels or one of the Reds starters, Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos or Mike Leake?