Boston Red Sox ace lefty Jon Lester is coming off a season he’d like to forget, as he racked up a career-worst 14 losses and compiled a career-worst 4.82 ERA in 2012.
Now it sounds like there’s a chance he may not be back in Boston for the 2013 season.
On Monday, Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star reported that the Red Sox have talked about a deal with the Kansas City Royals that would send Lester to KC in exchange for top prospect Wil Myers. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com went on to confirm the discussions with a source of his own.
Nothing is imminent, mind you. And frankly, the Royals would be fools to part with Myers just to land Lester. If they really want to trade Myers, they can probably do better.
But the fact that the Red Sox have even talked to the Royals about the possibility of a Lester trade is an indication that they may be willing to trade him if the right deal comes along. He may not necessarily be “on the block,” but the Red Sox are clearly keeping their options open.
If they decide that they should move Lester this winter, there are eight clubs in particular that GM Ben Cherington should have on speed dial.
Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.