This past offseason, the Chicago Cubs made a big splash by signing Jon Lester to six year, $155 million deal. ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTY-FIVE-MILLION. For a guy who pitches every 5 days. I wasn’t a huge fan of the signing. The Cubs, under the guidance of President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, had been patiently improving the Cubs entire organization. They were making smart baseball moves, drafting and developing young talent. Things were coming together, albeit slowly. Then BOOM. They made a huge splash in December with the Lester signing. The Cubs were all in.

Lester got off to a rocky start this regular season. I was beginning to wonder if my dislike for the signing had merit. Through 4 starts, he was 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA. On Friday (5/1), he earned his first win as a Cubs starter, throwing 7 innings of shutout baseball while allowing only 3 hits. Granted, it was a win against the pathetic crap-fest that is Milwaukee, but still.

If Lester turns out to be what Lester has been for the past several years, that could make the Cubs a true contender. They are off to their best start in years, a very solid 13-8. Has next year arrived for the Cubs?

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images
Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images
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