Jon Lester is one of the most decorated active players in Major League Baseball, but his career could be nearing its end, per MLB.com’s Jeff Jones (via Twitter). Lester was evasive when asked about potentially returning to the Cardinals in 2022, implying that he could even consider hanging up his spikes. The five-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion has 198 career wins and a 3.65 ERA/3.77 FIP in 2,218 innings across 16 seasons, but he’s been little more than a back-end starter for the past three seasons for the Cubs, Nationals, and Cardinals. The 37-year-old southpaw has a 4.75 ERA/5.41 FIP in 119 1/3 innings this year.
- In other Cardinals news, Jack Flaherty’s status remains up in the air as he tries to make his way back to the Majors before the end of the season. If he does make it back, it’s likely to be in a relief role, per The Athletic’s Katie Woo (via Twitter). That’s been the story for some time now, though it’s especially true as time runs out on the 2021 season. The Triple-A season runs longer than usual this year, Woo notes, which does give Flaherty slightly more time for a rehab assignment, should he be ready.
- Steven Brault left his start yesterday after just two innings due to what’s being described as “tightness” in his throwing ar, per Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter). The 29-year-old has made just seven starts on the year with a 5.86 ERA/4.60 FIP in 27 2/3 innings.
Even Mozeliak can’t be stupid enough to bring back Lester, and if Lester wants to pitch, he likely might want to go to a WS contender. Get on a great team and get your 200th win. If somehow he’s able to pull that off this year, then he’ll likely walk away.
I wouldn’t mind having Lester back in Boston for 2022. After the way the Sox disrespected him toward the end of his Red Sox tenure, they owe it to him. He was one of the greatest postseason pitchers in my lifetime.
I had same thought. Got to get to that 200.
I agree he needs to get that 200 win as a amazingly milestone in a nice career. Not sure if he is hall of fame talent but he has had a very good career
Not HOF material
I believe Lester doesn’t like playing in St Louis and he is playing for the Cards because he is a professional. I have always admired Lester, he has been a terrific pitcher for many years and in the postseasons he has performed super well. He should continue pitching a few more seasons and returning to the Red Sox would be ideal. Although, I would not be oppose if Lester wants to return to the Cards next season because he is a pitcher that has presence and he is one of my favorites.
I think Lester just doesn’t want to be back in St. Louis rather than retiring
Exactly, he just doesn’t want to be there lol
It’s a possibility. Not sure why you think it’s LOL? Not every player thinks playing for the Cardinals is the end all be all.
Most do
I was mainly trolling with the lol, he’s a Cubbie in my eyes. Although I do understand that Cardinals do sometimes go to the Cubs and vice versa
that’s a very cool image used TC
I have tightness in my throwing “ar” just like Mr. Brault.
Many Pirates experience tightness when throwing “ar”’s.
Ar…matey. Pirates lingo.
Q: what’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
The C
(I know you were looking for that other letter)
Drat, ye scallywag!
I really don’t want him as a Cardinal longer than need be .
If a player that you don’t like becomes a Cardinal then he should be treated like Cardinal.
I’m not carrying grudges around. It just makes me foul-tempered. I don’t need it.
I have been a Cardinal fan since the early 60s. Along the way, there have been Cardinal players I just didn’t care for, for various reasons. There doesn’t have to be a closed eyes blanket of happiness covering the players just because they happen to wear my favorite team’s uniform. Never liked Curt Flood or Keith Hernandez.. When they came up to bat, yes, I hoped they did well, but just didn’t like them as individuals. No grudges, just personality conflicts. Can’t love everybody in the world.
Thinking about the Cardinals make me fowl tempered…..
Me no like Cardinals
I certainly don’t wish injury on Brault and I hope he makes a speedy recovery. Having said that, I sincerely hope the Pirates look seriously into trading Brault after this season if they can. Outside of last season, he’s never been a competent starter IMO. He seemingly rarely makes it even 5 innings and his control is all over the place. Maybe he does better somewhere else and if so good for him, but to me there’s no way the Bucs should be going through arbitration with him.
I have to believe he would have been traded last year if the Bucs hadn’t desperately needed him for this year’s rotation.
What makes anyone think another team wants a pitcher with a lifetime FIP of 4.67 (bad), who is making over 2 million now and will be arbitration eligible next year (looking at 3-4 million). He is more likely to be a non tender candidate than a trade candidate.
Hence why I said “if they can”. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to trade for him either, but who knows?
I really like Brault, but he doesnt throw hard or have very good stuff… or location.
Let me add. He is 29 will be 30 in April of next year, and has never pitched more than 114 innings in a season (injuries).
to be fair… Steven has been a reliever/swing man much of his MLB career.
He is an likeable guy but until last year, other than some flashes of greatness hasn’t preduced a lot.
@joew. In six years he has pitched in a grand total of 107 games. And he may be a likeable guy but a FIP of 4.67 is beyond hasn’t produced a lot. Certainly few teams, if any, would trade for a (very) part time pitcher with a FIP of 4.67 and looking for 3-4 million in salary. This would be equivalent to paying him between 8-10 million next year [since he is less than a 1/2 year pitcher].
@dodgr1958 the TL;DR of what you said is….He is a likeable guy, but until last year, other than some flashes of greatness hasn’t produced a lot.
last off season is where there was talk about trading him while he was on a high with his first season with a new pitching coach.
half of those games you mention he pitched out of the pen. that constitutes about a third of his innings.
As a starter he would be a ‘fair’ back end/swing man for a fringe playoff team based on his career numbers…. if healthy. but on the flip side, most of those teams probably have a lefty coming up the system who could also field that role as good.
Why are the Cardinals trying to rush Flaherty back. The season is over. Let him rest up for next year.
They are considering, or were considering, bringing Hudson back. Why? No idea.
And judging by the performances of Mikolas since he returned, it looks like he’s still not right.
Hudson is under contract for 3 more years but he has been injured. Why wouldn’t they activate him if he is healthy?
Because there’s no point in it. Mikolas was healthy too. How’s that looking? Hudson is young, so no sense in the risk.
Mil,technically Hudson is not under contract for 3 years. Cards have 3 years of control until he hits FA. 1st year ARB eligible this off season.
The Cardinals season isn’t over. Two wins against the reds and a couple of SD loses against the Dodgers and they’re a game back in the WC. Anything can happen in the postseason if Flaherty is back…Lester needs a big ball park next year. Reunion with the A’s seems logical. Cheap price.
Why all the negativity about HOF. Helped break curse in Boston and Chicago. Besides Harold Baines is in there and it is now the hall of very good and Lester is very good.
Not negative. Realistic.
Lots of stupid comments. Lester is a professional baseball player and St Louis is paying him to play He’ll either retire or find a team willing to pay him to play next year. The location is a lot less important than the money.
He specifically didn’t sign for the money this year. He wanted to sign with the Nats when supposedly he had better offers.