LHP Jon Lester – Lester did not hide his affection for Boston upon being traded to the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline. The real question is how much does he like the Red Sox money or anyone else’s money. His 3.10 ERA over the last two seasons ranks second to Scherzer and his mark of 2.46 in 2014 leads all free agent starting pitchers. He’s durable as last year was the sixth time that he pitched at least 200 innings and has spent 19 days on the disabled list since 2008. Additionally whoever signs him will get a postseason tested pitcher — Lester has thrown 84 innings and had a 2.57 ERA. Like Scherzer, Lester turned down an extension last season, rejecting a $70 million offer. The Red Sox have been rumored to increase that offer to the range of $110 to 120 million but that might not be enough. The Red Sox are a logical landing spot but so are the Chicago Cubs considering who is in the front office. Also don’t count out the Yankees, who are never out of the bidding until someone signs somewhere else.
