Jon Lester won’t be making his start today, as we learned last night he would be scratched in anticipation for a trade. The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the mix, but the cost is going to be high. I wrote about that cost last night, while also looking at some players who could be given up for Lester. Here are the latest rumors on Lester, with updates throughout the day.
Buster Olney says that the NL Central teams are just as interested in blocking their rivals from making a move.
At this point, the interest of Jon Lester from Cardinals, Pirates and Brewers is almost as much about keeping him from rivals as adding him.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 30, 2014
The fact that the NL Central is so close, and all three teams would be looking for pitching, adds a new level to this. We heard yesterday that the Brewers aren’t in on Lester, so that just leaves the Pirates and Cardinals as the NL Central teams going after him. Lester is worth a little less than two projected wins over the remainder of the season. Getting him would be stealing two wins away from the other NL Central team.
Nick Cafardo says the Cardinals, Pirates, Dodgers, and Mariners are Lester suitors entering Wednesday.
One National League GM handicaps the Cardinals, Pirates, Dodgers And mariners as Lester suitors entering Wednesday.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 30, 2014
This is the first that the Mariners have been mentioned. Yesterday the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Athletics were mentioned as in the mix.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote an article on the trade demands for the top pitchers. He said that the Red Sox want two Grade A prospects for Lester. The expected demand for Price is three elite level prospects. He also repeats something that was brought up yesterday, where the Rays could get Oscar Taveras, Shelby Miller, and a 2015 comp pick from the Cardinals for Price. I’m not sure what Nightengale is defining as Grade A or elite, or if they’re the same thing. But if the cost for two months of Lester is two top prospects, and the cost for 14 months of Price, plus the comp pick you’d get when he leaves, is three top prospects, then either Price seems like the better value, or Lester costs too much.
Travis Sawchik says that Josh Bell, Nick Kingham, and JaCoby Jones is seen as a reasonable asking price, according to one talent evaluator.
Sensible pice for Jon Lester? Josh Bell, Nick Kingham and Jacoby Jones would be a 'reasonable' ask according to one MLB talent evaluator
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) July 30, 2014
That would be a very high price to pay for two months of Lester. They can afford to deal Jones. I think Bell is too much for Lester, considering the upside with his bat. Then you’ve got Kingham, who is close to major league ready, has a very high floor, and projects as a strong middle of the rotation starter who can eat 200 innings per year. That’s a lot to give up for a rental.
UPDATE 4:28 PM: Nick Cafardo from The Boston Globe says the Red Sox have an asking price for Lester, one Major League player and prospects
Source : Red Sox are asking for one major leaguer and prospects for Lester
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 30, 2014
UPDATE 4:48 PM: Dave Schoenfield from ESPN believes the Pirates are the most likely destination for Lester
On my show @dschoenfield just said he thinks #Pirates are the most-likely destination for Jon Lester.
— David Todd (@DTonPirates) July 30, 2014
UPDATE 11:58 PM: Pirates are still in it according to Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal.
#STLCards, #Pirates pushing hardest for Lester, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. #Dodgers still involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
It looks like this one will be between the Cardinals and the Pirates. Rosenthal says the Dodgers are still involved, but everything I’ve seen says they don’t want to give up any of their top three prospects.
