Report: Red Sox To Make 'Huge Effort' To Sign Jon Lester In Offseason
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox traded away their ace on Thursday, but apparently the team isn't quite willing to say goodbye forever.
According to ESPN's Gordon Edes, the Red Sox "plan to make huge effort to re-sign" Jon Lester after this season.
The Sox, of course, made headlines early on trade deadline day by sending Lester to Oakland in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes. Currently in last place in the AL East, the Red Sox clearly didn't need Lester to help them this season, and they made it clear from February to July that they were unwilling to offer Lester a top-of-the-market contract extension. So the team traded Lester away to a contender, with the idea that he'll likely sign with the highest bidder when free agency begins this winter.
However, Edes' report indicates that the Red Sox just may be that highest bidder.
The team offered Lester a four-year, $70 million deal in spring training, which was the last offer either side made, according to reports. It was presumed that the two sides ended negotiations because they were too far apart and therefore unable to come to a realistic agreement, but now all eyes will be on the Red Sox this winter to see if they go out and re-claim their ace.
Lester said recently that he would be open to re-signing with the Red Sox even if he were to be traded. Now that he's been dealt, we'll see in December if it's true.
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