Dec. 11--SAN DIEGO -- After being on the losing end to Jon Lester and the Red Sox in the World Series seven years ago with the Rockies, manager Clint Hurdle knows what's coming for his Pirates and the rest of the National League Central after Lester agreed to a stunning six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs.
"We're probably going to get him five times," Hurdle said. "So I have to believe it gives (the Cubs) self-confidence, self-esteem. You have a leader in that rotation. You have a go-to guy every fifth day. It makes them better in a lot of different ways.
"And not just that, but the street cred on the back of the baseball card when he gets in the clubhouse the other four days he doesn't pitch."
Despite the stamp the Cubs put on their intentions to compete for a playoff spot in 2015, their goal for sustained success remains intact.
President Theo Epstein reiterated Wednesday night the Cubs won't sign two pitchers to nine-figure contracts, although their attempt to strengthen the 2015 roster remains unfinished.
"People ask if we're all in for 2015," Epstein said. "The best response is we're all in for the future. The future starts in '15. We're going to do some things to put as competitive a roster as possible on the field to try to win. Our goal is to win the division and then as Joe (Maddon) said, the World Series.
"But we're aware of what we're growing and we haven't given up any of our most significant prospects in these deals. We haven't given up a draft pick. We've preserved our future, and that's going to be something that's important to us because we're trying to build toward a long run so we can have success year in and year out. We're not going to sacrifice that as we look to maximize our '15 roster."
The agreements with free agents Jason Hammel and Lester will be announced officially once they pass physical examinations. But Lester expressed his glee at joining the Cubs and thanked the Red Sox fans while responding to hundreds of messages on his Twitter account.
"Extremely difficult decision for me and my family but we love the outcome and couldn't be more excited to join the Cubs organization!" Lester wrote to his Twitter followers.
The Cubs have a surplus of starting pitching that currently isn't in high demand because the free agent market is well-stocked.
"And that's fine with us because we love our depth," Epstein said. "Maybe later in the winter if we get approached (the Cubs could listen to trade offers)."
Hurdle, who was managing the Rockies when Lester pitched 52/3 innings of three-hit ball in Game 4 to lead the Red Sox to a four-game sweep in the 2007 World Series, has taken notice of the Cubs' ascent.
"The Cubs have been building, and they believe that they're in a very solid position to make a significant difference within the division this year.
"There's a lot of evidence in our division that there's going to be no games to take for granted. There never are. But it's going to be exciting to play in this division."
The Cubs' moves didn't seem to faze manager Mike Matheny of the defending National League Central champion Cardinals.
"I think they realized, too, that we've improved," Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Cardinals added right fielder Jason Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden last month.
Extra innings: Epstein said the Cubs could do "something small" as the winter meetings conclude Thursday. They could lose left-handed reliever Andrew McKirahan in the Rule 5 draft. McKirahan, 24, was 2-4 with a 2.08 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 65 innings at Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee. ... The Cubs will receive a player from the A's to complete the player to be named later component of the Jeff Samardzija trade but also will send a player to the Red Sox to complete the Felix Doubront deal.
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