CHICAGO -- David Ross and Jon Lester appear to be together again.The Cubs have signed Ross to a two-year, $5 million contract, according to FOXSports.com. Several Boston media outlets confirmed the deal on Friday. The Cubs, who would have to make a roster move to open a spot for Ross, would not comment on the reports. The deal most likely is pending a physical.
In 13 seasons, Ross has a .233 career batting average. What's key is that in 29 games over two seasons catching Lester with Boston, the lefty pitcher has a 2.77 ERA with 192 strikeouts over 195 innings. 
And, in case you forgot, the Cubs just signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract.Ross caught five of Lester's first seven starts this past season, and the lefty posted a 2.19 ERA with 43 strikeouts and five walks."When you mix his stuff with my brains, it's awesome," Ross said in early May.Ross, who turns 38 in March, was behind the plate for four of Lester's five postseason starts in 2013 with the Red Sox. Lester went 3-1 in those games and gave up four earned runs over 27 innings, striking out 22 and walking four. And the only loss came in a 1-0 decision to the Tigers in the American League Championship Series.The Cubs have made it no secret they want to upgrade at catcher. They tried to sign free agent Russell Martin, but he opted to go to Toronto. Ross is the third catcher the Cubs have acquired this offseason. They traded two Minor League pitchers to the D-backs for Miguel Montero last week, and on Friday, claimed Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Dodgers.Where this leaves Welington Castillo, 27, is to be determined. The Cubs' starting catcher the last two seasons, Castillo hit .274 in 2013 but followed that with a .237 batting average this past season. He is arbitration-eligible after making $530,000 last season.
Carrie Muskat/ MLB.com
And, in case you forgot, the Cubs just signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract.Ross caught five of Lester's first seven starts this past season, and the lefty posted a 2.19 ERA with 43 strikeouts and five walks."When you mix his stuff with my brains, it's awesome," Ross said in early May.Ross, who turns 38 in March, was behind the plate for four of Lester's five postseason starts in 2013 with the Red Sox. Lester went 3-1 in those games and gave up four earned runs over 27 innings, striking out 22 and walking four. And the only loss came in a 1-0 decision to the Tigers in the American League Championship Series.The Cubs have made it no secret they want to upgrade at catcher. They tried to sign free agent Russell Martin, but he opted to go to Toronto. Ross is the third catcher the Cubs have acquired this offseason. They traded two Minor League pitchers to the D-backs for Miguel Montero last week, and on Friday, claimed Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Dodgers.Where this leaves Welington Castillo, 27, is to be determined. The Cubs' starting catcher the last two seasons, Castillo hit .274 in 2013 but followed that with a .237 batting average this past season. He is arbitration-eligible after making $530,000 last season.
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