Report: Free agent P Jon Lester will meet with Cubs next week

Free agent pitcher Jon Lester will reportedly visit with the Chicago Cubs next week.

Free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester will visit with the Chicago Cubs next week, reports WSCR-AM. 

According to the report, Lester will visit Wrigley Field, which is undergoing renovations, for "a formal get-together with the Cubs brass and owner Tom Ricketts."

Lester, 30, is ranked as the offseason's No. 2 free agent by SI.com's Ben Reiter. 

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Lester, who was traded at July's deadline from the Boston Red Sox to the Oakland Athletics, went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 219.2 innings in 2014. 

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington reportedly met with Lester's agent Tuesday night. Lester spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with Boston, winning the World Series in 2007 and 2013. 

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein was Boston's GM when Lester signed a six-year deal with the Red Sox in 2008.

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Lester is a three-time All-Star, including an appearance this season, and pitched a no-hitter in 2008. 

Chicago is also reportedly in trade talks with the Washington Nationals regarding starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.

- Molly Geary