Inland Waterways » , blocking Alden

SAN DIEGO - Jon Lester agreed Tuesday night to a $155 million, six-year contract with the Cubs, the first big deal of the off-season involving a top-level starting pitcher and one Chicago hopes will help end more than a century of frustration at Wrigley Fields Friendly Confines.Lesters contract, agreed to on the second day of baseballs winter meetings, contains an option for 2021 that, if it becomes guaranteed, would make the deal worth $170 million over seven seasons. The average annual value of $25.8 million is the second-highest for a pitcher behind Clayton Kershaws $30.7 million as part of a $215 million, seven-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers that began this year.Its not often you get to win the lottery, and we won the baseball lottery this year, new Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Now its up to us to put it into effect.A three-time All-Star who turns 31 next month, Lester won two World Series titles with Boston. The left-hander joins a long-suffering team with a promising core of young players and a top-tier manager, Maddon, who left Tampa Bay and signed a $25 million, five-year contract with the Cubs.Now, Chicago has an ace to lead the rotation as it tries to end a run of five straight losing seasons and a championship drought that dates to 1908.Lester was dealt by the Red Sox to Oakland at the trade deadline in July and helped the As reach the playoffs for the third straight year before a 9-8, 12-inning loss to Kansas City in the AL wild-card game. He went 16-11 with a career-best 2.46 ERA and 220 strikeouts last season and is 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in nine big league seasons.He also had been sought by the Red Sox, World Series champion San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lester is headed to a team that hasnt made the playoffs since 2008, but he knows Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer from their time together in Boston.Maddon had been used to small payrolls in Tampa Bay.Ive not been on this side since my days with the Angels, when I got an email in Italy that we had signed Vladimir Guerrero, said Maddon, who was a coach in Anaheim before switching to Tampa Bay. I think that definitely sends that message how Theo and the group feel about this particular group. But understand, we have a lot of young players that have to grow up as quickly as possible. But having Jon there adds to the flavour and the possibility.The Cubs management is making over the team in a big way.Chicago has a pending $20 million, two-year deal with right-hander Jason Hammel, traded by the Cubs to Oakland last summer. Earlier Tuesday, the Cubs acquired All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from Arizona for minor league right-handers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley — a deal that added $40 million in payroll over the next three years.Chicagos rotation is likely to also include Jake Arrieta, Travis Wood, and Kyle Hendricks.The Cubs also have a pair of All-Stars in the batting order in first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro and expect improved performances from young sluggers Javier Baez and Jorge Soler. Ahead is another wave of prospects that includes third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell.Maddon hopes an addition such as Lester helps change the mindset in the clubhouse when spring training starts in February.It definitely makes it more believable to everybody else in that room, he said. Ill stand up and make the same speech regardless, but when you have it backed up by that particular kind of presence, it adds to it.___AP Sports Writer Howie Rumberg contributed to this report. Joe Crede Jersey . -- The Florida Gators are first yet again this season. Ron Santo Jersey . Its other five picks were all six foot or better, with three at 6-1 or above. Third-round pick Brett Lernout stands six foot four and weighs 206 pounds. http://www.whitesoxteamshop.com/White-Sox-Early-Wynn-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Nick Bjugstad snapped out of his scoring slump and spoiled Drew MacIntyres first NHL start. Nellie Fox Jersey . The Rangers centre left early in Game 1 with an upper body injury after being checked by Canadiens defenceman Mike Weaver and has not played since. Brassard told reporters after practice that he was good to go. That brought a smile to the face of Rangers coach Alain Vigneault. Robin Ventura Jersey . The 24-year-old right winger has one assist in nine games this season with the Sabres. In his career, he has three goals and six assists in 43 NHL games.Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - After disbanding its football program in 1985 and not reinstating it until 2008, CSU-Pueblo has finally reached the top. Chris Bonner threw for 191 yards and accounted for the games lone touchdown on a pass to Paul Browning, leading the ThunderWolves in a 13-0 win over top- ranked Minnesota State to secure the programs first Division II national championship. Cameron McDondle rushed for a game-high 112 yards on 28 carries in the win. CSU-Pueblo (14-1) ended the season on a nine-game winning streak to capture the title in convincing fashion. The ThunderWolves, who ranked fourth in scoring defense at 13.7 points per game, faced a stiff test going up against a Minnesota State team that entered the game seventh in the nation in scoring offense (42.9 ppg). But they didnt seem to have a problem on Saturday. The shutout marked the first in the Division II national championship since 1997 when Northern Colorado throttled New Haven, 51-0. The Mavericks (14-1), making their first appearance in the title game along with their opponent, were limited to 258 total yards. Ricky Lloyd threw for 100 yards and also had team-high 63 yards on the ground in the setback. Nick Pieruccini also got some time under center for Minnesota State, throwing for 64 yards on 6-of-13 passing. CSU-Pueblo had the first scoring opportunity of the day when Bonner led a 10- play, 52-yard drive that stalled at the Mavericks 27. However, Greg ODonnell missed his 43-yard field goal attempt and the gamee remained scoreless after one quarter.dddddddddddd On the first play of the second quarter, Pieruccini completed a 29-yard pass to Dorian Buford on 3rd-and-5 from the Minnesota State 32. Pieruccini then converted another third down seven plays later with a 12-yard strike to Jeff Burns down to the ThunderWolves 8. CSU-Pueblos defense held up, though, and Josh Bredl made a big play, blocking Alden Haffars 27-yard field goal try. The ThunderWolves answered with a 53-yard scoring drive that culminated in ODonnells 27-yard field goal that opened the scoring midway through the second quarter. Bonner proceeded to lead a touchdown drive on CSU-Pueblos next touch. On 3rd- and-5 from the Minnesota State 18, Bonner was under duress and nearly sacked, but he managed to get the pass off and convert a touchdown to Browning and help the ThunderWolves to a 10-0 lead at the break. Browning finished with a game-high 84 yards on five receptions. ODonnell booted a 24-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half to put the ThunderWolves up 13-0 3:12 into the third. The CSU-Pueblo defense would take it from there. Bredl came up with a big sack of Pieruccini on third down at midfield in the early stages of the fourth to force a punt. Darius Allen then sacked Lloyd on third down later in the fourth to set up a 4th-and-17, but Lloyd only gained 11 yards on the following run. McDondle busted off a 15-yard run in the closing minutes on third down and the ThunderWolves ran out the remaining clock. ' ' '