Jon Lester Is Helping Recruit Xander Bogaerts to the Cubs

Details have emerged from the Cubs meeting with free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts and they're getting help to recruit him to Wrigley Field from Jon Lester. Can't get much better than that if you're the Cubs.

And how about that intriguing connection that maybe speaks to multiple aspects of Bogaerts' pursuit. Lester and Bogaerts were teammates in Boston, but Lester is choosing to help recruit Bogaerts to the Cubs and not back to the Red Sox.

Bruce Levine with the scoop. Via Marquee Sports Network.

Another source confirmed to Levine that the Cubs met with Bogaerts 10 days ago with Ross, first base coach Mike Napoli and former pitcher Jon Lester were among those that talked with Bogaerts and explained to the former Boston shortstop what it’s like playing on Chicago’s North Side.

No one can relate to Bogaerts more than Lester. Bogaerts' current free agent experience mirrors Lester's eight years ago. Back then, Lester was getting low-ball offers from the Red Sox, who ultimately offered the left-handed pitcher $20 million less than the Cubs. Meanwhile, Bogaerts was reportedly offered a four-year, $90 million extension earlier in 2022 from the Red Sox and since the start of free agency Boston hasn't given the shortstop a competitive offer.

Ross and Napoli were also teammates of Bogaerts with the Red Sox. Napoli has been on the Cubs' coaching staff under Ross for a few years. On Sunday night, Red Sox reporter Marino Pepén said the Cubs were expected to submit a contract offer to Bogaerts soon.

The Cubs are trying to pounce, needing to add multiple pieces to a roster desperate for star power. Levine has also been told about the team's meeting with Carlos Correa at the winter meetings in San Diego.

In the past 24 hours, sources confirmed to Levine that the Cubs met with Correa in San Diego with a group led by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, GM Carter Hawkins and manager David Ross.

The Cubs pursued Correa last offseason and a rumor later surfaced that they had an offer ready for him prior to the lockout. However, nothing came from those talks and Correa eventually signed with the Twins.

Jon Morosi has confirmed the meeting between Correa and the Cubs.

In the past week the Cubs have been linked to Bogaerts, Correa and Dansby Swanson, but it's been Bogaerts' name that has been in the media the most. We've already seen one of the top free agent shortstops sign, as Trea Turner is reportedly going to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to an 11-year contract worth $300 million.

No doubt the free agent shortstops loved seeing that massive deal for Turner.

Will the Cubs be able to close the deal for one of Bogaerts or Correa? Will they fall back to Swanson as plan B?

I've been on the record saying that my preferred choice is Correa with Bogaerts second (now that Turner is off the board) and Swanson a distant third option. Those feelings still haven't changed and maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I'm loving all the Bogaerts talk in the past two days.

We'll see if the Cubs can talk the talk and more importantly walk the walk.