Grüße und Vorstellung » it was his first visit to the Scotties

CHICAGO - Jon Lester insisted theres no reason the Chicago Cubs cant contend next year and even capture their first World Series title since 1908, around the time the Model T was rolling off the assembly line. Authentic Martin Necas Jersey .Im going in with the intention of winning in 2015, he said.The Cubs are, too.This signing really marks the start of a transition for the Cubs, the start of a period where we are clearly very serious about winning the World Series, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said Monday, when the team and Lester finalized a $155 million, six-year contract. The deal, agreed to during the winter meetings last week, set baseball records for largest signing bonus and biggest upfront payment.Chicago hired one of the games top managers in Joe Maddon, then added Lester, a three-time All-Star who won two World Series with Boston.Were not hiding the ball, Epstein said. The fact that we havent won in so long helps define who we are. ... I think it attracts players who arent afraid of that challenge and want to be here for the right reasons. It definitely attracted Jon Lester.Lester receives a record $30 million signing bonus, of which $15 million is due by April 1, $2.5 million each by Dec. 31 in 2018 and 2019, and a final $10 million installment by Sept. 15, 2020.He gets salaries of $15 million next year, $20 million each in 2016 and 2017, $22.5 apiece in 2018 and 2019 and $15 million in 2020. There is a $25 million mutual option for 2021 with a $10 million buyout, and the option would become guaranteed if Lester pitches 200 or more innings in 2020 or 400 or more in 2020-21 combined.Lesters deal includes a hotel suite on the road, a provision that he cant be traded without his consent and the right to 25 hours of private-plane use for him and his family annually.His wife and two young children joined him at Restaurant Spiaggia along with other family members and agents Sam and Seth Levinson. His 4-year-old son Hudson took a seat on his lap during the news conference.The no-trade clause is a break from the norm for Epstein. He said the Cubs initially resisted but conceded because it would have been difficult to land Lester without one, particularly after he was dealt from Boston to Oakland last July.Epstein also acknowledged the deal carries a risk for the Cubs, considering Lester turns 31 next month.I know exactly what shoulder program hes been on since he was 18, Epstein said. I know how well hes executed that shoulder program. How diligent hes been. I know what his MRIs look like. I already signed him to a contract extension in the past; that comes with MRIs. His work ethic didnt change one bit. His passion didnt change one bit after signing that first contract.The fact that hes a lefty is another plus to Epstein, and he thinks Lester can pitch well deep into his 30s like former Yankee Andy Pettitte.Left-handed pitchers in this bucket tend to perform throughout their contracts better than right-handed pitchers, Epstein said. Hes got the right amount of pitch mix that will allow him to age gracefully because he doesnt get hitters out just one way.A total of 1,686 players have appeared for the Cubs since Orval Overall retired Detroits Boss Schmidt for the final out of the 1908 World Series, according to STATS, and all have failed to bring another title to the North Side.Lester hopes he and a promising core of young players can end the slide along with Maddon, who left Tampa Bay for a $25 million, five-year contract with the Cubs.When you make a statement like bringing in Joe Maddon, that adds to the decision-making, makes it that much more interesting, he said.Lester went 16-11 with a career-best 2.46 ERA and 220 strikeouts last season and is 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in nine big league seasons. He also had been sought by the Red Sox, World Series champion San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lester is headed to a team that hasnt made the playoffs since 2008, but he knows Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and senior vice-president of player development and amateur scouting Jason McLeod from their time together in Boston. He had a chance to talk to pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel about the Cubs after they got traded to Oakland. He also spoke with Ryan Dempster, his teammate in Boston and now a member of Chicagos front office.Lester will be joining a rotation that includes Hammel, who agreed to a $20 million, two-year contract last week. The Cubs also acquired two-time All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the winter meetings and have a pending $4.5 million, one-year agreement with reliever Jason Motte.Lester has worn No. 31 for most of his career, but the Cubs retired that number in honour of Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins. Hell wear Kerry Woods old No. 34 in Chicago — with Woods blessing, according to Epstein.Its always been one of my favourite numbers other than No. 31, said Lester, who pointed out that Nolan Ryan and Chicago Bears great Walter Payton also wore 34. I just feel like it was a good fit. Authentic Scott Darling Jersey . Plata blasted a rising shot to the upper left corner for his team-leading seventh goal of the season. He got the kick after referee Allen Chapman ruled Chris Tierney fouled John Stertzer in the penalty area. Carolina Hurricanes Shop Free Shipping . Indeed, must be among the greatest challenges in all of sports. The pressure he applies, from set to set, game to game, point to point, shot to shot. http://www.cheaphurricanesjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-rod-brindamour-jersey . -- Lara Gut of Switzerland regained the overall World Cup lead with Sundays super-G win in Lake Louise, Alta.MONTREAL -- Winning bronze took some of the sting away for Chelsea Carey. Careys Manitoba rink stole three in the 10th end to post a 7-3 victory over Saskatchewans Stefanie Lawton to claim the bronze medal at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts on Sunday. "The disappointment doesnt go away, but you want to at least salvage what you can out of it," said Carey. "I dont agree with this even being a game. I never have. "The Page (playoff) system builds in a bronze medallist. But, as much as I disagree with the game, its nice to win a game to get there." Undefeated Rachel Homans Canada team faces Albertas Val Sweeting in the championship game later Sunday. Carey made two perfect draws to score two in the eighth end for a 4-3 lead. Lawton blanked the ninth and had the hammer going into the final end, but then disaster struck. Second Sherri Singler threw a flash, third Sherry Anderson hit a guard and soon there were five Manitoba stones ringing the button. Lawton tried to sneak in an angled raise with her last shot, but it couldnt get through and Carey got a steal of three. "It was worth a try,"said Lawton. "It was there...I hhad to stick it right on the nose. Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys. I couldnt roll off. But it was a bit too hard. We didnt leave ourselves in a great position to score one that end. "It would have been nice to finish with a medal, but Im proud of our girls. It was a great tournament for us. Its unfortunate how it ended." Carey finished second in the round robin but lost the first-versus-second game to Homan and then was beaten by Sweeting in the semifinal. "A podium finish is good at our first Scotties and to come back and battle today, Im so proud of the girls for hanging in there," said Carey. "Its tough to get motivated for this and it was a tough game to play, but they just hung in there and we were able to pull it off. "Theres a little bit of solace in that anyway." Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the crowd of 2,261 at the Maurice Richard Arena. He has been to the mens Brier, but a curling official said it was his first visit to the Scotties. He is expected to stay for the final Sunday night. "Thats pretty cool to say you played in front of the prime minister," said Lawton. "Too bad we didnt win." Chiefs Jerseys China Cheap Nike Chargers Jerseys Cheap Nike Raiders Jerseys Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys China Cheap Nike Giants Jerseys Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Redskins Jerseys China Cheap Nike Lions Jerseys Packers Jerseys China Cheap Vikings Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Panthers Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Saints Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike Buccaneers Jerseys Cardinals Jerseys China Cheap Rams Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Nike 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys China Bears Jerseys China Cheap Nike Bills Jerseys Ravens Jerseys China Wholesale Falcons Jerseys China ' ' '