The deal reportedly includes an option year for $13 million. This approach is right in line with Theo's supposed line of thinking this offseason - lock up the young core of the team (Dusty and Youk included) in order to stabilize the roster and reward said players with financial security. Hard not to like this move from that standpoint. At $6 million per year, Lester is quite the bargain.

Just 25, Lester went 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 152 Ks and 66 walks last season and only figures to get better. He'll probably never eclipse 200 Ks in a season, but his blend of control and power will help make him a dependable pitcher for years to come. The big lefty has proven he has top-of-the-rotation stuff, with a plus fastball and exceptional curve, and now he's being rewarded like it. Plus, the signing comes at the perfect time as it will provide the Sox with relative leverage when it comes time to re-sign Beckett this offseason. (I'm not implying Lester could step up and become the undisputed club ace, but it certainly gives the Sox some leeway knowing they'll have Dice-K and Lester at the top together for at least the next three years.) Great signing on both parties' counts.

Up next: Sign Jason Bay to a four-year deal at around $10 or $11 million per, and convince that dickhead Papelbon that his year-to-year idea is bullshit.