Free agent left-hander Jon Lester is receiving a lot of buzz from multiple teams and a reunion with the busy Boston Red Sox isn't off the table.
The Red Sox spent the early portion of this week locking down coveted free agents in third baseman Pablo Sandoval and shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is rumored to play left field upon his arrival.
According to MLB.com, Boston isn't done there as it is still in pursuit of Lester, who was traded to the Oakland Athletics at July's MLB trade deadline after spending all nine years of his career with the Red Sox.
The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox are still "very engaged" with Lester and have placed a $110-120 million offer on the table for the left-hander. Other clubs in the hunt for Lester include the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
The offer on the table for Lester from the Red Sox is said to be more than what he turned down during the 2014 campaign, but could also be substantially less than the money he could make by signing elsewhere.
It is unknown if Lester will return to Boston for less than what he could make elsewhere or if he'll continue to test the market and sign with the highest bidder.
Another team that may be a contender for Lester is the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, who could swoop in and use the savings from losing the Sandoval sweepstakes on Lester.
A deal with Lester would also give the Giants a measure of revenge against the Red Sox as Boston signed Sandoval away from them after the Kung Fu Panda won three World Series titles in five years in San Francisco.
The Red Sox could also be looking to trade an outfielder, such as Yoenis Cespedes, due to their glut out there, and they have reportedly also been interested in pitcher Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hamels, 30, has also been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lester went 16-11 overall between the Red Sox and A's in 2014 and ranked fourth in the American League with a 2.46 ERA and fifth with 220 strikeouts in 32 starts.
Lester, a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, is 116-67 in his nine-year career with a 3.58 ERA, 1.276 WHIP and 1,457 strikeouts.
Boston is looking to bounce back from a rough 2014 that saw their defense of the 2013 World Series title go down the tubes. The Red Sox finished 71-91 last season, and team brass has put Boston in position to become a contender again during the next campaign.
A Lester return could potentially add to the possibility of the Red Sox being a force to be reckoned with in the AL East in 2015.
For more coverage, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN and Like Us on Facebook
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
