Boston Red Sox in Hot Pursuit of Jon Lester
By Michael Terrill
@MichaelTerrill
Getty Images
As if right on cue, the Boston Red Sox have sent a contract offer to free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester. Of course, the organization does not expect a timely response due to Lester being one of the top pitchers in free agency this offseason.
Lester has scheduled visits with numerous MLB teams throughout November and December. He recently met with the Chicago Cubs, which could be an interesting fit with newly hired manager Joe Maddon at the helm. He also is set to visit with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. All in all, six teams are reportedly interested in the left-hander. Those teams include the Red Sox, Cubs, Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics.
It should be pointed out that when Lester was dealt to Oakland in July, he made it very clear that he intended on returning to Boston in free agency. Even though nothing is set in stone and an amazing contract offer could pry him away from the team that he has had the most success with, there is still a really good chance the Red Sox are the team that lands him.
The only franchise that I could see having a legitimate shot at keeping Lester away from the Red Sox is the Cubs. With Theo Epstein residing as the President of Baseball Operations in Chicago, he will do whatever it takes to give the Cubs a legitimate arm. With that said, it would seem to go against what the organization has been trying to do the past few seasons. On the other hand, the team has to make waves at some point, and the time is now with Maddon as the new manager.
In 32 starts with the Red Sox and Athletics in 2014, Lester posted a 16-11 record with a 2.46 ERA, 220 strikeouts, one complete game and one shutout.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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