Boston’s left-handed ace will be a free agent after the season, and is expected to take full advantage of that status as he hunts a lucrative long-term contract. Every team that wants to trade for Lester understands that he’s purely a rental.
That’s part of what makes these trade discussions so intriguing; the Red Sox want a return that includes elite prospects, but the inquiring teams are hesistant to surrender that type of prospect for a rental, regardless how good Lester was in Boston’s run to the 2013 World Series title (1.56 ERA in five starts, btw).
And Lester knows he’s getting dealt. Any doubt of that was removed when he was scratched from his scheduled Wednesday start.
Anyway, here’s a running list of rumors connected to Lester . . .
Yeah, it’s that kind of day.
