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Lester is still the one

Aug 10th, 2007 by Bill Burt

I was on WEEI yesterday and this topic – Jon Lester vs. Kason Gabbard: Did the Red Sox trade the wrong young, promising lefty away? – sort of took a life of its own.

Of course, the discussion developed after Lester threw a clunker (3.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 hits), which the Sox still pulled out in Anaheim.

I believe Red Sox Nation is going to have to be a bit patient with Lester, who is not the pitcher yet many people expected. And cancer aside (he beat it over the winter), Lester’s upside is as big as any pitcher in the Red Sox system.

Clay Buchholz might be the next “great” Sox prospect, but Lester is ready and he is here now.

All I know is in a conversation I had with Jason Varitek about six weeks ago, he couldn’t say enough good things about Lester’s prospects, short and long term. Gabbard came out of nowhere and appears worthy of some accolades. But Lester’s future, according to the Red Sox, is very bright.

Because the Sox are in a pennant race and the No. 4 and No. 5 starters have been chopped liver lately, Lester’s status is up for discussion. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be, because the goal is to win the World Series here EVERY year, but a lot of people would be surprised if Lester, only 23, didn’t pan out.

Lester’s next few starts are important more for the Sox than for him. My guess is he will find a way to find the plate better and be there when the Yankees & Co. start coming to Boston in September.

If Dustin Pedroia taught us anything is trust your judgement. And let it play out.

Any thoughts out there?

Posted in Red Sox | Comments

  • The iTod
    Lester needs time to develop. They should give him one more major league start at home for the feelgood factor. If he doesn't do well they should send him to AAA to continue his development and call up Buchholz who is better than Lester right now and has dominated AAA more than Lester did. Lester just has not been the pitcher of 2005 or early last year lately and needs to get his mojo back. Good teams do not let young pitchers learn their craft in the Majors. That is for the Tampa Bays and Florida Marlins of the world. Buchholz could also use the experience of 5-6 starts in the majors to end his year and get him ready for next year.
  • iTod
    Do not under rate Lester. Buchholz is not ready yet. Trust me, the Sox will not rush another guy who needs a little more seasoning. Could Buchholz make it? Maybe. But it isn't worth the risk, as we saw with Cla Meredith. Anyway, I will predict right now that Lester will beat the Yankees at least once in September.
  • The iTod
    Buchholz is not ready yet? Seriously? Have you looked at his AA/AAA numbers? They blow Lester's 2005/2006 numbers away at AA and AAA and Lester is pretty good IMHO. He has pitched the same amount of innings in AA/AAA as Papelbon did before he came up in 2005. He has also had more success than Papelbon had in 2005 and Papelbon was also pretty good and has done ok in the Majors (massive understatement).

    Lester is still not back and he will struggle in the Majors. His numbers at AAA this year were not good and he needs to go back and start dominating. We don't even have the Lester of early last year yet. I think that this year will be a lost year for Jon and he will come back strong next year. He is absolutely a better prospect than Gabbard and should have the better career going forward but Kason could pound the strike zone and mix his pitches well. Lester is really struggling with both.

    Buchholz is a stud and while not having pitched as long as Papelbon or Lester is much more talented and 5-6 starts is not going to hurt his development. Phil Hughes got pulled up in a similar amount of time and is only 20 years old and has done well, injury aside.
  • iTod
    People have to leave Lester alone. He is 23. Buchholz is 22, a year younger (well, he really turns 22 on Tuesday). They are not going to rush him. I'm not saying he won't be around in September, but it will be based on need, not for desire.
    I don't know why so many like yourself doubt Lester. He is struggling with control and fastball that moves away from righties. He's got a great curve. Again, I predict he is at least the No. 2 guy within a year from now. Please don't remember this post if he doesn't.
  • The iTod
    Burt,

    I love Lester and wouldn't trade him and agree he will take time to find himself. I just am not sure he should do it at the major league level. He is capable of dominating AAA and until he does it he should not get called up. Time will tell if Lester is a #2. I would be ok with that but he looks more like a future #3.

    Buchholz is just better. He is a true potential ace in ability.
  • Mark
    Lester/Bucholz Bucholz/Lester
    Both are with the sox, # 1 or # 3 won't matter much, once they start rolling. Man...future looks bright with the young arms. Least not forget Mr. Dice K
    Lester will face a Yankee line-up and get a taste of what the Yankee/Sox rivalry is all about up close and personal. Bucholz is waiting in the wings...and ready to fly!
  • The iTod
    Mark,

    Also beckett, papelbon, pedroia, ellsbury, youkilis, jed lowrie, masterson... future is so bright we got to wear shades.

    IT IS A GREAT TIME TO BE A SOX FAN!
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