A new MLB trade rumor has Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, who is on waivers, being claimed. The MLB trade rumor says Red Sox starter Lester (8-11, 5.01 ERA) was claimed August 31. This claim is according to CBS Sports and Fox Sports. Lester was placed in waivers on August 25. It’s unknown at this time what team claimed the 28-year-old lefty but the Atlanta Braves seem to be the team most likely interested
Lester, who overall has suffered through a rough season, has had some very strong starts as of late and in the past six seasons has won 72 and lost 34. 2012 marks the first season he has lost more than 9 games, and from 2008-2011, he won at least 15 games per season. In 2010, he notched 19 victories, which marks his career-high.
The Braves can use Lester in the stretch, as they are a mere 1.5 games ahead in the NL Wild Card. Atlanta is 6.5 games behind the NL East-leading Washington Nationals and will have a tough time catching them. Atlanta has had to contend with various injuries to its pitching staff. They have three starters on the DL. If the Braves do go for Lester, the Red Sox, who are on a youth movement, could certainly benefit from the stable of rich prospects in the Brave farm system.
Lester is expensive. Next season he’s set to earn over $11 million and the following year about $13 million. That’s a lot of cash for the Braves who are paying starter Tim Hudson (13-5, 3.76 ERA) $9 million.
However, Lester could be a great addition to the Braves for this season and the future. In his last four starts, he’s 3-1. In his last game, which was a loss, he went 8 solid innings, allowing 5 runs. In his three prior starts, all of which he won, he allowed a total of just 4 runs. Against the Cleveland Indians, he went 6 innings and notched 12 Ks. He beat the New York Yankees on August 18 by a score of 4-1, going 7 solid innings.
With the Red Sox in total disarray and all hope lost for the season, the organization is working towards building a new team. The mega trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Card Crawford and Nick Punto to L.A. for what are in essence prospects was the first major step. A trade that involves Lester will certainly be a strong step towards redefining the franchise.
Boston has now lost five straight, including a humiliating 20-2 loss two days ago to the Oakland Athletics. They also lost to the Athletics last night 7-1 in what was an extreme comedy of errors on the part of the Red Sox.
Lester is next scheduled to start against the Seattle Mariners on September 4 in Seattle. That is if he is still a member of the Red Sox.
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