Lester happy about option, hopes to stay longterm

BOSTON -- There was never any mystery about Jon Lester's $13 million option. Unless he suffered a major injury, the Red Sox were going to pick it up all along, and they officially did so on Friday.

Considering the option was picked up a couple of days after Lester wrapped up one of the finest postseasons ever by a Boston starter, it seemed one of the great bargains of the offseason.

Lester is happy to know he'll be back in 2014, and sounded like a man who would love to pitch in Boston for the rest of his career.

Perhaps the Red Sox and Lester will discuss an extension as early as this winter.

"Awesome," said Lester of his option being picked up. "I haven't had a chance to talk to [general manager] Ben [Cherington]. But obviously to be back for another year is awesome. Hopefully that's not the only one and we can be here for a long time. We'll worry about that when the time comes."

Right now, Lester is basking in the glow of his team's accomplishment.

As for the back issue that bothered Lester during his gem in Game 5 of the World Series? He no longer feels a thing.

"I don't even feel my body right now," said Lester. "It doesn't matter. I'll worry about how I feel in a couple of weeks when I start working out again."