After earning his third World Series ring in a historical manner, Jon Lester now is focusing on the daunting task of helping the Cubs become the first franchise since the 1992-93 Blue Jays to win consecutive titles.
"When it’s all said and done and I go home to reflect on it, then I’ll look back on my career and see where it’s at," Lester said of possibly adding to his multiple ring collection.
For now, Lester expresses faith in working with young catcher Willson Contreras after the retirement of his personal catcher, David Ross, and considers the considerable task of pitching 200 innings for the sixth consecutive season.
There’s also the challenge of improving his fielding and holding runners at first base, which was on display Friday on a practice field under the supervision of pitching coach Chris Bosio.
During his shortened offseason, Lester quipped about baseball not eliminating pitchers throwing to first base in a tweet that otherwise congratulated the owners and Major League Baseball Players Association for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
"I’ve been pretty open about it since day one," Lester said of the spotlight on his fielding. "I’m not the one who keeps bringing it up, other than that joke."
Photos as the Cubs practice at spring training in Mesa, Ariz.
The defensive improvement Lester showed last season was encouraging to manager Joe Maddon as a National League-high 13 baserunners were caught stealing with the left-hander on the mound in 41 attempts.
Moreover, opponents batted only .173 with runners in scoring position against Lester — the second lowest mark among NL pitchers who faced a minimum of 125 batters.
Maddon stresses the he wants his pitchers also to work on what they do well.
"Of course, address those items that aren’t your strong point, but not so you get obsessed with them and it takes away from what you do well."
After tying or setting career highs with 19 victories and a 2.44 ERA last season in 2022/3 innings, Lester’s room for improvement is shared with Contreras, who caught only one of Lester’s 32 starts last season.
"Rossy and I didn’t reinvent the wheel with anything special, so it’s a matter of having a game plan," Lester said. "When the game plan isn’t going well or you’re not able to execute that, the ability to go to a plan B is where Rossy and I clicked.
"I saw Willie do that a lot last year with everyone else. I don’t think there will be any problem."
Lester cited a season-opening trip to Japan that caused early fatigue in 2008 and a roster overhaul in 2014 as factors in the Red Sox’s inability to repeat as world champions.
But the talent and energy of his young teammates lends hope for this season.
"Our big guys are so young they’re naive to the situation," Lester said. "They go out and play. Older guys like me and Lack (John Lackey) go in slow and try to take it easy in spring training and just be ready to go in April.
"But these guys are ready to go Day 1 as usual. The biggest positive on our side is that we have so many young guys who aren’t banged up, don’t have a lot of innings or a lot of at-bats under their belts, which makes it easier for them to rebound and be ready to go."
mgonzales@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MDGonzales
Caption Spring training drills: Jon Lester fields and throws to first base
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Spring training drills: Jon Lester fields and throws to first base
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Joe Maddon on Kyle Schwarber catching, batting leadoff
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the effect catching might have on Kyle Schwarber’s injured knee at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the effect catching might have on Kyle Schwarber’s injured knee at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session
Cubs pitcher Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jon Lester on challenges of defending a World Series title
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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