Lester Signs With Cubs, Cardinals' Martinez To Wear No. 18

(San Diego, CA) -- Jon Lester is joining the Chicago Cubs. Yahoo! Sports reports Lester has agreed to a new six-year deal worth $155-million. Cubs manager Joe Maddon says acquiring Lester gives them instant credibility.

Lester was being chased by multiple teams, but had narrowed his choices to the Cubs and Boston Red Sox. The 30-year-old ultimately reached a long-term deal with Chicago late Tuesday night. Lester was one of the highly regarded free agents this offseason after a 16-11 combined record with Boston and Oakland last season.

Miguel Montero is headed to the North side of Chicago. The Cubs have acquired the left-handed swinging catcher from the Diamondbacks in exchange for pitching prospects Zack Godley and Jeferson Mejia. The 31-year-old Montero hit .243 with 13 home runs and 72 RBI last season for the Snakes.

Cardinals' Martinez To Wear Taveras' Number-18

(San Diego, CA) -- The Cardinals say they will allow pitcher Carlos Martinez to wear the number-18 jersey of former friend and teammate Oscar Taveras next season in remembrance. The 22-year-old Taveras was killed in a single-car accident in late October. Martinez wore number-44 last season.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak remains in San Diego this week as baseball's Winter Meetings continue. He says they are unlikely to pursue free-agent pitcher and St. Louis native Max Scherzer. A right-handed hitting first baseman tops the team's list of needs.

White Sox Add Samardzija In Six-Player Deal

(San Diego, CA) -- The White Sox have officially acquired right-hander Jeff Samardzija and pitching prospect Michael Ynoa from the Athletics in exchange for infielder Marcus Semien and prospects. The 29-year-old Samardzija went 7-13 with a 2.99 ERA in 33 starts between the Cubs and the A's last season.