Yesterday, reports indicated that the Orioles and Mariners have both inquired on Red Sox ace Jon Lester, but the Sox are likely to take any decision down to the wire. Earlier this morning, we noted that Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com heard there was less than a 50 percent chance Lester is dealt based on current talks, but offers are expected to increase in the coming days.
We’ll keep track of the rest of Tuesday’s Lester-related rumors in this post…
- A source with direct knowledge of the situation says that there are six clubs still in on Lester, per Edes (via Twitter): the Dodgers, Cardinals, Pirates, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Athletics.
- At present, the Red Sox have not received a trade proposal that the club is satisfied with, tweets Abraham. Multiple reports have indicated that no trade was in place when Lester was scratched from his start. At the moment, the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates are all in the mix for Lester, tweets Rosenthal.
- The Brewers are “not on” Lester, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Lester has been scratched from his start tomorrow, manager John Farrell tells reporters, including Jason Mastrodonato of MassLive.com (via Twitter). A rival GM tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com (Twitter link) that it appears a deal will be in place tonight or tomorrow morning.
- The division-rival Jays and Orioles seem out of the running for Lester at this point, per Bradford (Twitter links). A team source rejected the suggestion that the Dodgers would offer top prospect Joc Pederson for Lester, Saxon reports.
- If the Pirates make a deal for Lester, it will have to occur before his start tomorrow so he can take his next turn for Pittsburgh, reports MLB.com’s Tom Singer. The Bucs are not willing to part with prospects Tyler Glasnow, Nick Kingham, Jameson Taillon, Josh Bell, or Austin Meadows in a deal. But the team would consider dealing Alen Hanson or JaCoby Jones, and Singer says that outfielder Jose Tabata is a “wild card” in discussions, which could potentially expand to include Mike Carp or one of several Boston relievers.
Earlier Updates
- The Red Sox were never given a “figure … on what it would have taken to sign” Lester, a source tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). But while Lester and his representatives never formally made an offer to the Red Sox, both sides exchanged numbers and understood their respective parameters, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
- The Red Sox have enhanced leverage regarding Lester because he could tip the balance in the NL Central, if not also the rest of the National League, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. Sherman discusses the possibility of the Dodgers, Cardinals, Pirates, and Brewers making the move for a rotation upgrade. Boston is “at least considering” attempting to deal and later re-sign its staff ace, Sherman adds.
- Sox manager John Farrell says that the club still has Lester penciled in to start, but is prepared to use Brandon Workman in his place if Lester is dealt, as Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe tweets.
- The Dodgers are not close to any major deals at the moment and adding Lester “appears … unlikely,” tweets Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Nevertheless, Los Angeles appears on top of the list of likeliest suitors for the Boston lefty, as handicapped by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
- The Pirates are emerging as a dark-horse to acquire Lester, report Jeff Passan and Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. (John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times was first to link the Bucs with a possible move on Lester; subscription link.) One possible centerpiece of such a deal would be well-regarded prospect Josh Bell, the Yahoo writers add. A deal with the Pirates would not necessarily involve Bell, however, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com tweets.
- The Red Sox are actively taking offers and preparing to deal Lester, a National League GM tells Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe (Twitter link). Abraham says it is difficult to see Lester taking his start tomorrow for Boston.
- Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio reports (via Twitter) that the Blue Jays, Mariners, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Orioles and Marlins are all currently in on Lester. The Marlins are certainly a new addition to the mix, although that would line up with Buster Olney’s report from earlier today pegging them as a potential surprise candidate for some starting pitchers. Miami has a number of high-end prospects, and Lester’s remaining $4.48MM in salary might not be too overwhelming.
- Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears the same as Olney did earlier this morning (Twitter link): There’s “little doubt” in the industry that Boston will move its ace. Rival clubs are expecting a trade.
- Lester’s agent, Seth Levinson of ACES, denied a previous report that his client’s asking price in extension talks motivated the Red Sox to trade him, reports Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Unsurprisingly, Levinson shed no further light on any extension talks with Lester: “The discussions we had with the Red Sox were confidential and will remain that way,” Levinson said to Edes in an email.
- Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com adds some new teams to the Lester mix, as he reports that the Athletics, Blue Jays and Braves have all called to inquire on the BoSox ace. Of those teams, Toronto is being the most aggressive in its pursuit, a source tells McAdam. The Sox are willing to move him to the division-rival Jays or Orioles, according to McAdam’s source. Boston is still seeking multiple prospects in return, specifically one elite prospect — McAdam uses Oscar Taveras, Joc Pederson and Corey Seager as examples — and at least one more lesser prospect. Interestingly, McAdam notes that the Red Sox will not consider trading Lester to the Yankees.
- The Brewers have spoken to the Sox about Lester, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Milwaukee was said to have asked the Rays about David Price as well, but Price might not be dealt now, and Lester would cost less to acquire. Heyman notes that Milwaukee has top pitching prospect Jimmy Nelson to offer as a centerpiece and has a deeper farm system than it has in prior years. Nelson ranked 38th on Baseball America’s midseason list of the game’s Top 50 prospects, and MLB.com ranked him 53rd on their midseason Top 100.
Jeff Todd contributed to this post.
Time to stop calling Nelson a “prospect.” He got called up, has had four starts so far and has pitched effectively in three of the games. He’s a key piece of the Brewers’ future and not worth trading for another starter. What the Brewers need is offense, not another starter with a high trade price tag.
Nelson has looked good but 4 starts doesn’t take the “prospect” tag off of him yet. I would agree with you on their needs though. Rent a pitcher for 3 months by throwing away prospects doens’t make sense. They should be looking for a 1B.
4 starts, however good or not, is a looong way off from being a legit MLB starter.
I’d say you can only start thinking that after, say, 600 IP, which is about 2-3 years just to see what you’ve got, and, to see if he can take starters’ wear and tear of consecutive years.
Understood it’s a small sample size so far. But don’t trade away a legit future starter (hopefully) for a rental when the team’s major needs lie elsewhere. (Bench player with a bat, RH reliever.)
There are “Prospects” with high rankings that fail and then there are prospects like Nelson who has no signs that he’s going to fail. It’d be one thing if Nelson threw 90-92 with his control issues but he throws 95+. Also is 6’6″ not 5’11”-6ft. His FB sinks because of his height.
Nelson’s control has improved evidence from last season to this year’s stats it would be 1 less walk per 9. He’s not prone to HRs. There is so much going for Nelson, it’s hard not to see him being a dominant #3 if not a good #2. And if he improves his slider any bit we are talking a dominant #2 easily here.
I am not doubting his quality. I think he’s an exciting young arm. That’s no question. I’m talking about the pounding and wear-and-tear of consecutive years of majorleague seasons. He’s just never done that before, and you won’t know until he’s doing it.
We’ve seen countless great arms, just as great, fail at that only for health or bad luck, not talent. How many times have we’ve seen young emerging perrenial Cy Young candidates types, suddenly hit that invisible magic wall after the 600 IP threshold? Arms have mileage on them. Some give out. Others never have a problem. On the top of my mind right now in recent memory is Neftali Perez. Scott Kazmir is a classic breakdown story. So is Mark Prior. Matt Moore of the Rays, same story. This list is endless. And they all had strong early runs but hit some health walls.
The Brewers have the best offense in the National League, but I do agree that Nelson is too much for Lester. Not enough of an upgrade there for it to be worth 6 years of Nelson.
It’ll probably take 3 players to get Lester, so 18 years or lets say 12 if 1 guy doesn’t work out. Melvin is a guy who calls his minor leaguers “inventory.”
So just because he inquires on a good player available at the deadline he is suddenly horrible and going to make a horrible trade?
News Flash every GM does this if they have a need for a starter…some teams that don’t need one per say do it too. How do you know he even is considering it anymore? Maybe he is pressuring the Cards to sell the farm…stop judging Melvin from your couch.
I agree with you completely but I’d bet Melvin would not only trade him but include other premium prospects.
Going to have to do better than the 38th ranked prospect lol
Trading Nelson for Lester seems terrible. I don’t understand all these rumors about Milwaukee trying to add a starter. What they need is a first basemen, a right handed reliever, and a decent bench bat.
The Sox would be better off just keeping him. Unless you getting Seager or Bundy (who would not be included because of Lester’s contract) why would the sox make the trade? Prospects are just prospects. Most of them become over-hyped and don’t come close to expectations. The Sox have one of the best prospects in the game in Bogaerts and I’m still on the fence on whether or not be’ll become an all-star type player. Pony up the cash you have and resign Lester because I’d rather have him then another over-hyped prospect unless you plan on using that to acquire someone like Stanton.
Seems like they’re plan is to trade him in a deal that lands them a top prospect and then resign him in the offseason. No guarantees, but if it happens it’s a great day for the Sox GM.
Yeah but if Lester hits Free Agency and the Yankees get involved, the sox are in trouble.
This is what I keep thinking, and it horrifies me.
The Sox if they lose Lester via FA will at least get a comp pick. while Yankees lose their 1st rd pick.
Or I’m guessing you’re talking his FA pricetag? Well if Lester is traded away guess what? He’s still becoming a FA and that pricetag doesn’t change. Sox aren’t in trouble. The teams acquiring Lester are.
Agreed. The Red Sox have an equal or better shot at signing him as anyone else. I’m not sure where people got the idea that there is some type of rift between Lester and Red Sox mgmt. There isn’t.
Nelson was the most dominant starter in all of AAA this season. He throws 94-97 with sink. You are grossly undervaluing him. Hasn’t Lester said he’d consider signing with Boston as a FA too? Brewers would be fools to deal him for Lester.
Yes he seems like a good player just like any other highly ranked prospect/rookie. A dominant season in AAA doesn’t guarantee big league success. I’d rather keep Lester and have the chance of resigning him before the Yanks get involved then trading him for something that’s unproven. Lester is a proven MLB pitcher with 2 WS Rings. If he hits the open market, I don’t see him coming back to the Sox. Money talks and if a team like the Yankees offers more years and money, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he took it.
As stated above. You can get something for losing Lester. Any other team but Boston will be losing something to get Lester.
Nelson alone would be a heckuva return vs. relying on your chances of a 27-32ish Draft Comp. It’s great to argue against Prospects like 100% of them flameout. Lester was a Prospect himself at some point. They do succeed many times over. Nelson has a lot going for him. He appears at worst an innings eating #3 for a team. At best a dominant #2.
Yes he seems like a good player just like any other highly ranked prospect/rookie. A dominant season in AAA doesn’t guarantee big league success. I’d rather keep Lester and have the chance of resigning him before the Yanks get involved then trading him for something that’s unproven. Lester is a proven MLB pitcher with 2 WS Rings. If he hits the open market, I don’t see him coming back to the Sox. Money talks and if a team like the Yankees offers more years and money, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he took it.
As a Cardinals fan, I am fine with Milwaukee throwing more prospects away for rentals. It only means they’ll be in the cellar again for three years. It seems to be the pattern they follow. Why aren’t they looking for a 1B?
That last time they traded for a lefty (CC), they gave away Matt Laporta, Brantley, Bryson, and Zach Jackson to Cleveland. None of these so called big prospects at the time helped Cleveland. CC on the other hand was dominant for the Brewers and helped them make the playoffs.
Zach Jackson wasn’t close to a big time prospect. He was a marginal prospect at best who had struggled big time in the big leagues in trials with the Brewers. Bryson wasn’t a prospect either. Brantley was maybe 8 or 10 on the Brewer prospect list but was in A ball. LaPorta was the big time prospect in the deal but he was expendable because the Brewers had Fielder.
I wouldn’t use that as a rationalization to trade prospects. What would be your response if the 3 or 4 players it takes to get Lester all turn into major leaguers with an all star or 2? Is it “oh well” we had a shot and lost so its worth it?
We could do what ifs all day. What if the sox trade Lester to the Brewers and they win the world series. What if the prospects acquired by the sox are busts. What if the Brewers keep their prospects and they turn out to be nothing. What if the Brewers don’t acquire Lester and make the playoffs but they just don’t have the pitching to compete. If the Brewers think they have a good shot to win now and have a deep farm system than Lester would be a great pick up. It’d bring in a #1 starter without emptying the farm because it was deep to begin with. If they don’t then they shouldn’t acquire him enough said. The sox gambled on some prospects this year instead of veterans and it turned out to bite them in you know where. Every team is different.
You need to check your history David. Brewers haven’t been in the cellar since 2004. If they win the division this year, they’ll have 2 division titles in the last 4 years, one more than the Cardinals. Their first baseman leads the team in HR playing only 70% of the time the their team is 2nd in runs scored.
You missed my point:
Made a trade for Sabathia – cellar in 2009 and 2010.
Made a trade for Greinke and Marcum – cellar in 2012 and 2013.
But I have to argue with your 2004 comment. They didn’t make any waves until 2007.
2013 was just a bad season. Hart out all year, Ramirez out for a long time, Braun suspension, pitchers weren’t producing. The team played MUCH better in the second half. 2012 and 2013 had nothing to do with those trades. Who that we traded away would have saved us?
Now… that said, the Brewers need to go after a FULL time first baseman, sure Reynolds has power, but besides defense he hasnt been very great, he should be a bench player. Overbay should be gone, but he wont because hes a “clubhouse guy”. I would love to trade for Napoli AND Lester. That to me would be worth Jimmy Nelson and a solid prospect. I wouldnt trade Nelson for Lester straight up, because Lester will only get maybe 11 starts this year, and if we miss the playoffs it would blowup in our face. Especially since starting should be our last concern now. Our bench is terrible, and we could also use a solid RHP out of the bullpen. I wish Henderson would have came back a week ago so we at least get an idea of where hes at.
Your point would almost be valid if you weren’t using the word cellar. Cellar means a team that is dead last, a la the Cubs. The Brewers, on the other hand, since 2009, have finished 3rd, 3rd, 1st, 3rd, and 4th respectively. So, we make big trades that put us in the postseason, and then we have okay-to-mediocre seasons for a year or two after it. Oh my, how horrible.
Moreover, since Attanasio became the owner in 2005, Milwaukee is a better than .500 club, and second only to the Cardinals in the NL Central. They haven’t been a real cellar dweller in a decade.
I think its an awful strategy myself and I’m a Brewers fan and will even point out many good things that Melvin does. I’m sick of it.
I think its an awful strategy myself and I’m a Brewers fan and will even point out many good things that Melvin does. I’m sick of it.
How about “missed the playoffs”. Which happened once again last year.
Funny enough, with all the guys we’ve traded in the last 6 years, the only players that have panned out have been Brantley, Escobar, Odiorizzi, and Cain. (We got Jeffress back for nothing so I’m not counting him). Factor in that we got 2 plus pitching prospects and an All-Star shortstop back for Greinke and I’d call it a wash after making the playoffs twice.
What “cellar” are you referring going back to? Unless you’re talking about the early 2000’s before Mark A really got going.
Those are four players that could be on your roster. Not to mention they could have been saved to trade for other players, etc. Whenever the Crew makes a big move they lose potential future players and trade pieces.
And the cellar reference? I’m talking about the losing seasons you had in 2009,2010,2012,2013, lol. All after a season in which major trades occured.
Current outfield of Gomez, Braun, and Davis. Where would Brantley fit? Cain?
I’d much rather have Segura at short than Escobar. Same goes with Peralta/Nelson over Jake O.
I realize we had losing seasons. My definition of “cellar” is being completely out of the division race by the All-Star break and finishing dead last. This happened in none of those years. In fact, two of the years you mentioned, we had half our lineup our with injuries, and another, we missed the wild card spot by what? A game and a half?
I would much rather have made the playoffs twice in 6 years than have been consistently alright for those years and still have roughly the same roster. (3 times in 7 years if you count this season)
“Whenever a team makes a trade, they lose potential future players and trade pieces”. Thank you for clearing that up for me, by the way. I didn’t realize that was how trades worked.
Brewers would be foolish to deal Nelson for a rental of Lester. Sure, Lester gives them a better chance in the postseason, but even with him it’s no sure thing they’d beat the Dodgers. From Boston’s perspective they’d have Nelson then they’d re-sign Lester. That would be a no-brainer for them.
I do agree I don’t like the idea of trading for Lester. It has little upside in my opinion. David Price makes sense only in the fact at least we can make another run next year.
Napoli to the Brewers for someone with value. Nap is signed through 2015.
I don’t see it. They won’t trade Jimmy Nelson for Napoli and I don’t think Tyrone Taylor is really the prospect that is going to catch the Red Sox’s eyes.
I’d guess that Boston would do Napoli for Taylor in an instant.
You are probably guessing wrong.
It would be a big overpay. If you’re arguing that Cherington isn’t very good, I really don’t know enough to say.
A decent outfield prospect in high A is not an overpay for a year plus of a quality starting MLB first baseman with right handed power. Taylor is a totally decent prospect and if Napoli was a free agent and the sox did not intend to resign him then you could be onto something. But they want to keep Nap for next year. They have no right handed power as it is.
Well, I would argue he’s better than decent.
It would be a big overpay. If you’re arguing that Cherington isn’t very good, I really don’t know enough to say.
sox intend to contend next year and they don’t have enough power as it is. I really doubt they have any interest in trading Napoli.
I see Lester, Miller and/ or Lackey being dealt by the deadline to the Pirates, Braves, Nat’s, Dodgers, A’s, Tigers, Mariners, Giants—is that enough targets?? Not to O’s, Jay’s or Yankees. Definitely not the Rays.
I don’t think the Sox would bite if Nelson was the centerpiece of a Lester-deal. We’ve got prospects with similar upside, i.e. Webster (groundball putcher, heavy sinker) and Owens, who actually has a higher ceiling IMO.
So Ben would either want a clear cut “ace-ceiling” prospect – which he won’t get for Lester – or he goes the OF/offense/power route. That’s why Pederson makes lot of sense.
You don’t trade “ace-ceiling” prospects for a rental! Who does that? Name me a trade where a team sent an “Ace-ceiling SP prospect” for a rental SP that year?
If Ben is able to play the Dodgers, Orioles, Brewers and whoever else off each other with regards to our tradeable pitchers, this COULD end up being very nice…
Royals are the sleeper if your team is willing to eat Lester’s contract. You may be able to get Mondesi and Almonte plus a few C+/C prospects for Lester and Miller.
I’m tired of this. Give Lester 6/120 and be done with this Boston. None of this “he’ll come back,” just sign him now. There’s no reason to give up on 2015.
In my opinion, the O’s have to take advantage of off years by NYY, BOS and TB. Cruz isn’t there for “the long haul” and he’s a big reason for the teams turnaround.
Cruz has been very mediocre sense before the All Star break, Davis and Hardy have been meh and Weiters hasn’t played this year. Those are the only 4 players the O’s don’t have locked up for an extended period of time. NY is going to have transition issues due to inflated contracts and aging players, Tampa is always going to have issues due to payroll restrictions (and losing Price) and Boston looks like a dumpster fire right now (though they do have some very intriguing prospects moving through their system) all in all I think the O’s are set for a little while without gutting the system for a rental.
I just think this is the year for a small market AL team to win the WS…unless LAD picks up Lester, then we might as well hand them the trophy now. I think that you do what needs to be done when a window opens for you, especially for a team that doesn’t get this window very often. The window is always going to be open for the Yanks, Sox, Tigers Angels etc….not so much for the A’s and O’s of the world.
I agree and disagree. Windows won’t always be open for big markets teams (Cubbies say hi) and though the window won’t always be open for mid market teams it also is smart for teams to prolong their competitiveness for as long as possible. That is done by holding onto young cost controlled players. I think the Brewers are a good example of teams who go all in are fantastic for a year then are subpar for a few years.
That’s a good point that I can’t completely disagree with but I would add the Cubs are an anomaly. I’m a Red Sox fan and I would love to see the O’s win a WS this year but with the current roster I just don’t see it happening. A veteran SP that has excelled in the post season would do those young kids wonders for the future and give the team a great shot at winning this year.
I agree and disagree. Windows won’t always be open for big markets teams (Cubbies say hi) and though the window won’t always be open for mid market teams it also is smart for teams to prolong their competitiveness for as long as possible. That is done by holding onto young cost controlled players. I think the Brewers are a good example of teams who go all in are fantastic for a year then are subpar for a few years.
The Os have been turned around long before Cruz. The turnaround with the current nucleus started in 2012.
I’m not trying to be a jerk but the Rays had better young talent and have yet to win a WS. No one is winning a WS without a top tier, #1 ace. The Rays have one and still didn’t win a WS.
Ok Boston fans. Here’s your offer for Lester: Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo is currently sporting a 5-5 record, ERA of 3.57 and WHIP of 1.22. Gallardo has a $13 million team option for 2015.
Why the Brewers would make this deal: Lester is a true ace who offers Brewers better 2014 postseason odds. Gallardo, while still a solid mid-rotation guy, is only under their control one more year and won’t likely be retained after 2015 anyway. Brewers are confident Nelson can give them what Gallardo would the rest of this year anyway.
Why this deal makes sense for Red Sox. Boston is a team that retools rather than rebuilds. They will look to win in 2015. Gallardo is still under 30, and a quality pitcher that eats innings. He’d fit nicely in Boston’s rotation for next year at a relatively modest price. Boston will still be able to bid to bring Lester back next year. They’d be giving up their ace in a lost season for a solid starter for next year without damaging their chances of re-signing that ace going forward.
Porcello would work better if that was their strategy. Porcello is only 25 and has 73 career wins. That total is very rare at such a young age. He is a ground ball pitcher that would work with Boston’s solid infield defense (and small Fenway dimensions).
From Boston’s perspective sure. But Detroit isn’t as motivated to find an ace (they have one current and one past) as the Brewers are and they don’t have a guy like Nelson who’d be capable of matching what Porcello is giving them. Gallardo is pitching in Miller Park…that’s no pitchers part either and he’s become much more a ground ball pitcher the last couple seasons.
1. Lester > Porcello in terms of “big game” postseason pitchers … as of right now. He is also a lefty. The other three playoff starters are righty.
2. Hard to assume that Verlander will be “THE Verlander” at this point.
Make Verlander the #4 and you have:
Scherzer/Lester/Sanchez/Verlander.
Depending on the “weak link” Verlander, that postseason rotation could be historically awesome.
3. Porcello only has one more year left. He will be a free agent after 2015. Tigers would be making a “win now gamble”… 1 year and 2 months of Porcello for 2 months of Lester (plus post season).
Kershaw/Lester/Greinke/_______ would be amazing too
Kershaw/Lester/Greinke/_______ would be amazing too
Depends on whether the Sox think they can resign Lester or not. If they believe he’ll be out of their price range than a trade for Gallardo wouldn’t be smart. They have guys in AAA that are probably going to provide around the same type of value as Gallardo. They’d be better off letting him hit free agency, see where the bidding goes and get a draft pick or get prospects in return if they traded him to a team like LA.
Wait a minute, on one hand Boston fans are saying Nelson’s not enough because he’s a “prospect” and on the other they are saying they already have guys at AAA capable of a sub 4 ERA and 200 innings? You really see the Red Sox not going after a top of the rotation arm? Remember if Lester doesn’t return, they have to replace his innings and Peavy’s. Gallardo figures to be an upgrade over Peavy.
I’m an upgrade over Peavy!
So lets trade our ace for a guy who’s just an upgrade over Peavy? Peavy is a #4-5 starter. Gallardo is a #4 with chances of being a #3. We’d be better off trying to resign Lester before he hits free agency. If he hits free agency, Lester is gone and we’re left with no compensation draft pick and a guy who’s an average middle of the rotation starter who has never pitched a full season in the AL. Why Nelson may not be enough is because you said it below, he’s not projected to be an ace like Lester. Possibly a good #2 or #3 starter. The reason I brought up our prospects in AAA is because they’re not viewed as aces but can be decent middle of the rotation guys. One of the reasons we got rid of Peavy was because we wanted to bring some of them up. Bringing in Gallardo wouldn’t solve any needs because it leaves us without an ace, and also blocks guys in AAA from trying to take the #3-5 spots.
So first you make a horrible trade recommendation and then you think Jimmy Nelson will end the year with a sub 4 ERA? He is a rookie and looks scared every time he pitches. Days he isn’t getting ground balls he will singlehandedly get rocked and lose the Brewers the game. Jimmy Nelson is going to be great, but it is going to take him a couple years. He will flash his potential here and there but watch out for all the bad outings.
Here is where I am most lost.
You just said Jimmy Nelson can have the same numbers as Gallardo the rest of the year(and obviously in future seasons), but the Red Sox will want Gallardo so they can have a quick turnaround…Yup, I am totally not getting this.
The Cardinals are like Lebron James in this-they have by far the most value to offer and if and when they make a move the dominoes will fall. Personally I think if they are going to pay pay for Hamels or Price, and not a rental.
I can’t imagine there is anything the Dodgers would give up Pederson for if his name is not David Price.
Of course the Sox wont trade with the Yankees, the only thing worse than missing the postseason in Boston is watching the Yankees play in October.
“Interestingly, McAdam notes that the Red Sox will not consider trading Lester to the Yankees.”
Yes, because both ownership and Ben Cherington are appropriately fearful of torch-wielding villagers marching down Boylston St. for their heads if they did that.
Yup. That and the fact that the Yankees don’t have an elite-level prospect.
Well that isn’t true at all. Servino and Sanchez are top 100 prospects already, possibly top 50 by the end of the year.
Sanchez’s value is dropping and Severino is too far away and his status is based on too small a sample size to be able to compete with some of the other elite prospects being mentioned. Plus the Yankees would have to pay much more than any other team to make a deal with the Sox. I like Sev as a prospect but I think the Sox can do better for the centerpiece in a Lester deal.
In this context, “elite” means top 20. Not sure either ranks that high, and the Red Sox have catcher well covered.
Well then top 20 right now would be a no on both. I would like to see where both of them end up at the end of the year. Both having great years minus the disciplinary issues Sanchez has had.
Do you think one elite-level prospect for a 2 month rental is what they are going for? I think I’d go for quantity over quality. These elite prospects go nowhere most of the time.
Do you think one elite-level prospect for a 2 month rental is what they are going for? I think I’d go for quantity over quality. These elite prospects go nowhere most of the time.
I can’t believe it’s come to this with Lester. I’ve lost so much respect for the Red Sox. Pay your ace. You’re not a small market team.
Giving big contract to a pitcher is a big gamble. Pitchers break.
Obviously, but that’s just how the MLB free agency system works. By the time a high caliber pitcher becomes a free agent, they’re going to be overpaid, especially considering the risk. The Red Sox don’t have any back-breaking contracts and only have one long-term one (Pedroia). They can afford to pay Lester, both in terms of dollars and risk.
Everything you are saying is exactly what Red Sox fans are thinking. And it’s all true. Don’t own a baseball team if you’re not willing to take the risks to resign your players.
It’s not your money so that’s easy to say.
Please, the Red Sox have the money. They’re being ridiculous. If you don’t want to spend your money on the players you need to win, then don’t own a baseball team. This will be their fourth major player they let walk from the 2013 championship team without adequately replacing them. They’re not the Rays. They’re ridiculously wealthy, just cheap.
Why is it interesting that the Sox won’t trade him to the Yanks??? That would be fan base suicide!
Why do you care that much? As a Cubs fan I wouldn’t have any trouble trading a rental pitcher to, say, the Cardinals even if they ultimately won the World Series, if that was the best package I could get for him.
Now, it would be different if he weren’t a rental and I’m not saying the Yankees have the prospect package that Boston is apparently looking for. It just doesn’t make much sense to me to get that worked up about where Lester pitches for two months.
Edit: That said, I might be upset that he’s being traded AT ALL and the impact it might have on retaining him next year…
The fan base would be upset for several reasons, not the least of which is you’d be helping the Yankees chase another championship, you’d be providing them an exclusive window to negotiate an extension, they don’t have good enough prospects for a descent return, we kinda don’t like the Yankees.
It is a non-issue, just a chance to get a dig in at the opposition. The Yankees don’t have any elite prospects that would interest the Red Sox. Gary Sanchez is their best, and the Sox have catcher well covered.
Eduardo rodriquez, Miguel Gonzalez, and a throw in for lester seems fair for a 2 month rental
Well Big-GM-Papi weighed in finally “The trading rumor about my left-hander, I don’t know where it came from,” Ortiz said. “It might be coming from the front office or whatever. When you’re planning on trading a player like that — that caliber of a player in today’s game — you must be getting half a team from some other place.”
There you have it asking price is half a team or you can’t have Papi’s left-hander!
Depends which 1/2 you are talking about.
In other news, Papi has launched coup d’etat seized Cherington’s cell phone and barricaded himself inside his office
Well, we know what he does to phones he doesn’t like D:
It’s the truth. When you have a guy you can easily sign at a fair value that makes sense for both sides, you’d better ask for 3-5 high end prospects back in return. Anything less then a projected front of the rotation starter and a bat with some plus power potential shouldn’t even be offered.
Thinking logically, you could say Price’s stuff is better, but he does not have Lester’s playoff resume. The playoffs are what these rentals are all about. So if I’m the Sox, I’m not taking less for Lester then what would be offered for Price. In fact, based on this season, I’d ask for more.
If the Brewers trade Jimmy Nelson plus Tyrone Taylor/Orlando Arcia for a rental Doug Melvin better bet his job they get to the World Series or be fired.
This is actually smart by Cherington-you rent him out, extract value for a pitcher when the season is lost, then you get him back. Win win.
Extremely rare that it works out that way.
If Lester is traded, it is very unlikely that he will take a hometown discount to stay with the Red Sox after he sees other offers.
If they want to trade to get value, they should not reasonably expect him to come back.
If they want him to come back, then they should give him a fair offer before he can see any other offers and sign him this week.
They have to decide this by Thursday.
Trust me the offers will not meet his demands. If he goes to STL, as is likely, Mo will try to wrap him up fast. Otherwise, don’t think he hits 6-120. There is about to be some serious spending cuts when it comes to FA. Drew and Morales were just the beginning.
Drew and Morales weren’t worth sacrificing a draft pick to sign. If Lester is traded no team will be able to make him a qualifying offer and he will not have draft pick compensation attached to him. That said, a QO would not have impacted his value at all. He is the second best free agent on the market this season, and having the best season of his career and the best season of any available pitcher. He will do better than 6 120 if he makes the open market. Free agent prices only go in one direction and it isn’t down.
And if you trade him, you aren’t going to resign him. You lose the exclusive negotiation period that way, and there’s no way the Red Sox outbid the other suitors.
The game has changed, the markets are going to continue to tighten. He won’t get that offer anywhere BUT the Red Sox, that is what people are not understanding.
How has the market tightened? Salaries are on the rise, extensions are at an all time high, TV contract are lager than ever. Basically what are you talking about?
We will see how loyal Lester is when the money starts rolling in.
Scherzer rejected a 6 years and $144MM from Tigers without giving a reasonable counter offer. It is very likely that Scherzer will get more than the Tigers offer as it stands now.
Is Lester really that much worse than Scherzer?
I can’t imagine the Cubs would be deterred by 6/120, and they have the added bonus of the Theo/Jed connection to make his transition easier. Plus, for whatever reason, they absolutely love to scoop up former Red Sox players.
Dodgers also wouldn’t be deterred by that price tag. Yankees would love it if he came to them so cheap.
All signs point to Boston making him a fair market value offer in the offseason. He wants to play for the Red Sox. That said, if Boston offers 5/100-120 (which is likely) and NYY offers something “Yankee stupid” like 7/175 sure he’ll probably take the Yankee money.
lol @ Braves checking in. That’s just them doing due diligence. No way they make it.
“McAdam notes that the Red Sox will not consider trading Lester to the Yankees.”
Doesn’t matter. He’ll be in pinstripes by March.
Disagree. He’s not old enough for the Yankee’s to look at.
If Billy Beane somehow pulls this one off, I will stake my place for the WS parade now in downtown Oakland {insert ‘along with the homeless’ jokes here}…
We have heard that before. You don’t play them on paper, you play them on the field.
Verlander 2X. Maybe 3X if it is ALCS. Must Exorcise that Demon first.
I could see the Jays trading Nolin, plus a couple of low minors for Lester, which would give the Red sox a pitcher that is close to the majors, but none of the top ten prospects would be involved for a 2 month rental. It should be interesting to see what happens and the Jays could then sign Lester after the season for 5 years, which gives them another top of the rotation arm when they discard Buerhle. Stroman and Sanchez will be in the rotation, which makes Happ expendable.
Why would the sox trade for a guy who’s not even a top ten prospect for the Jays when they’d get a 1st round compensation pick if he signed elsewhere?
Why would the sox trade for a guy who’s not even a top ten prospect for the Jays when they’d get a 1st round compensation pick if he signed elsewhere?
Didn’t the Sox get 2 of the Giants top 10 prospects for Jake Peavy?
ORIOLESMAGIC!
I don’t see the Dodgers as a very good match. They’re not going to give up Pederson, Seager or Urias for a rental, and the rest of their prospects probably aren’t good enough to get a deal done…unless Boston is willing to take a quantity package.
Yes correct. Lester has 10-12 starts for a team in trade value. You don’t give up what appear to be AS talent for that. Price on the hand has another season of value plus compensation that really makes Lester’s value poor when it comes to elite prospects.
I’m a Dodger fan. Seager is virtually untouchable, Urias pretty close to it, but Pederson is expendable. Lester alone may not be enough, but including a reliever in the package (and the Dodgers including a lower level prospect or two) could get the deal done.
I laughed. “Lester alone may not be enough”. Thanks I needed that after a long day of work.
It kind of makes sense for them to trade him in the division at this point. It’s only two months, they’re already out of the race, and Lester said he’d be open to resign in Boston even if traded anyway. Plus, taking away a top prospect from a divisional opponent and adding them to your team is like doubly effective.
I don’t know. I know I am not convinced this is a good idea for the O’s
I still stand by trading for
Cashner
Quintana
Maybe, Keuchel from the Astros.
Othen then that, I can’t really get behind no matter who they are or what they have done in the past.
i think gonzo, rodriguez, a throw in should get it done if it takes more than that then id probably pass
It’s gonna take way more. It’s gonna take so much that most MLBTR fans will be saying “pass”. Some GM’s won’t…why? Because their job is living and making decisions best for the present. They cannot buy themselves anything if all kept prospects are panning out when they are long fired due to poor results.
its 2 months of him its not Prices year and a half. That is a top top 70 prospect, a servicable 5th starter with years of control and a player with upside
Look, I am not saying that your proposal is completely “homerish”, but it’s likely gonna cost one of Bundy, Harvey or Gausman. Is it gonna happen? Maybe not, but then Ben will shift his attention to the other 7-8 suitors since like the whole league is after Lester due to the fact that nobody else is available.
Top 50 guys aren’t traded for two month rentals. Boston will get a good haul for him no doubt but I think the expectations are a bit exaggerated
And what was Mike Olt last year? Top 50 prospect and advanced (AAA)…and we are talking about Garza, not Lester. Plus prospects like Edwards (got compared to Glasnow), MLB-ready Grimm (fifth best Rangers prospect back then, B-grade) plus a possible mid-rotation guy in Ramirez.
How is that not a huge return? And again, just for Garza! A injury-prone pitcher with a much worse track record than Lester, let alone playoff numbers. Plus the Sox have one of the best RP in baseball available.
Olt wasn’t top 100 when he was traded, dude was hurt and had eye issues. Cubs ultimatly got a handful of mid tier prospects a great return (one the rangers probably wish they could have back), but there probably were not any all star caliber players in that deal
And one of the best relievers in baseball has been traded before having a great season like he is having now. He’s worth a mid tier rotation piece and a reclamation former top prospect.
Id like to see the pirates get him
wrong Josh Bell link…
pretty sure that’s not the right Josh Bell you have linked b/c i think the pirates would take that trade in a heartbeat.
thats former dodger prospect 🙂
Ummm, wrong Josh Bell?
Ummm, wrong Josh Bell?
Just looking for opinions here as an O’s fan. Would it be worth it to part with Hunter Harvey and maybe Tim Berry or Christian Walker to get Lester in town for what would essentially be a 3 month rental?
Tough decision to part with Harvey. He looks like the real deal in about 3 years, but who knows what the Orioles roster will look like then. You overpay to try to win now, or hang on to someone that can help a few years down the road.
Tough decision to part with Harvey. He looks like the real deal in about 3 years, but who knows what the Orioles roster will look like then. You overpay to try to win now, or hang on to someone that can help a few years down the road.
I’m a Red Sox fan so take this knowing that…if I’m a team that hasn’t won in a very, very long time I give up anyone who isn’t a Strasburg/Trout type prospect for Jon Lester. I feel like, for the most part, the contending teams across baseball are currently evenly matched. Jon Lester has the ability to change that.
I’m a Red Sox fan so take this knowing that…if I’m a team that hasn’t won in a very, very long time I give up anyone who isn’t a Strasburg/Trout type prospect for Jon Lester. I feel like, for the most part, the contending teams across baseball are currently evenly matched. Jon Lester has the ability to change that.
Nope, not a chance would I do that. Lester won’t resign with Baltimore due to the fact that he is out of our price range and we can’t offer him a qualifying offer. You would be giving up 6-21 years of control of high end prospects for a two month rental.
Nope, not a chance would I do that. Lester won’t resign with Baltimore due to the fact that he is out of our price range and we can’t offer him a qualifying offer. You would be giving up 6-21 years of control of high end prospects for a two month rental.
Just looking for opinions here as an O’s fan. Would it be worth it to part with Hunter Harvey and maybe Tim Berry or Christian Walker to get Lester in town for what would essentially be a 3 month rental?
If Neal Huntington gives away Josh Bell for Lester, he should be fired on the spot. If Lester had an extra year on his contract, maybe. But to give up an elite A++ prospect for that? Absolutely inexcusable.
Shelby Miller and Randal Grichuck from St. Louis for lester. Done and Done.
Not close, Grichuk is a good start but Miller has been atrocious, maybe Martinez?
if lester dealt, i believe he would still rejoin sox in offseason at pedrioa like deal
Pedrioa signed a 6/85 deal no way Lester settles for that once he is already a FA.
maybe not a deal with those kinds of numbers, but still a semi team friendly deal. if lester gets traded, i don’t think it won’t be without lester’s blessing. maybe im nieve but i believe lester is the type of guy who would become a rental for two months in order to help get the team he loves some extra pieces…and then return in the offseason.
Why? The team has not been “friendly” to Lester.
All signs are that the Sox have basically lost any leeway to sign Lester at any sort of discount. He will go to FA and entertain offers. I think the best one could hope for at this point is that he would sign with ithe Sox vs. another team if the money/years were equal. Or, perhaps he would be willing to take slightly less from Boston..but definitely not as much of a discount as he was wiling to give them before this season.
I may have to stop being a Pirates fan if they give up Bell for 2 months Lester. Worst decision ever for a team that refuses to pay for free agents and takes on acquisitions from the draft and international market only. It makes their prospects so much more valuable to them, I don’t see how this makes sense
Suggesting Glasnow and Bell for Lester? Since when did we move on to the cornerstones of a Price trade with 1.5 years of control? Bell and Sampson for Lester yes, Glasnow, no way that’ll happen.
Glasnow is the type of kid I’d like to see in return for Lester. He’s probably two or three years away from the bigs but he’s got all the numbers you want to see out of a top tier prospect. I’m a Sox fan so I’m saying DO IT!!! I’d want Glasnow and a couple of lottery ticket prospects for Lester though.
Refines his control a little more on his 6’7″ frame and he will be up mid 2016. He is a beast that sits 94-97 and touches 100. One outing this year he hit 100 in the 4th inning. Also a plusccurve ball and improving change up. He is our #1 prospect. To me he is our 1 untouchable
What’s the deal with Meadows? He seems to be a great prospect but is a little too far away for the Sox to consider in a Lester deal unless there is another top 100 prospect coming back, possibly the centerpiece in a Lackey deal? or is that excessive?
He was one of the two best HS bats in the draft last year along with Frazier. He had been injured for a while this year. Leg issues. He will he a corner OF. Sweet smooth swing from the left side. Power will come as he matures. Does a great job of getting the barrel to the ball. Looked at as the replacement in the OF once Cutch gets his brinks truck. Him or Harold Ramirez
I don’t understand you Red Sox fans, top 100 prospects aren’t just throw-ins to teams like Pittsburgh. We can’t replace that talent with 200 million dollar contracts. I don’t care how many rentals, long or short term, you talk about adding. We can’t keep them. Even a Lester deal getting a package with Bell headlining makes no sense for Pittsburgh
Well unfortunately you’re competing against teams who will throw in top 100 prospects so if you want him, thats the price.
Then I don’t want him. And we wont really know the price until the trade happens.
He hasn’t even added what I refer to as that “man mass” either. Just something about men when he hits that 24 – 26 range where they just seem to become more naturally bulky. Not everyone of course but players like Lester and Buchholz both when through that growth stage. It was the difference between being a top prospect on the fringe to a true every big league player.
Who suggested Glasnow? and Sampson is a little low of a 2nd piece…Bell is a good start but a 2nd piece near the top of PIT’s farm would almost certainly need to be involved
Sherman’s NY Post article
I will go take a look, that seems like a bit much if you ask me, and i’m a Sox fan
It all depends if PIT has a decent chance at the division or a wildcard spot.
What’s the report on Sampson? I hear he has a mid-rotation ceiling but the overall scouting reports don’t seem to justify it
He does have that upside at the least. He is having a big breakout year in AA. Has always outperformed his scouting reports. In our top 20, and as I’m sure you know. We have a deep system as well.
I just looked up the report and it’s more promising than expected, but I still think it would take a bit more than just those 2, possibly a PTBNL from this years draft or another low level high upside guy
The Dodgers have three guys they could offer that are ranked ahead of Glasnow. I don’t think the Pirates will come up with an offer better than the Dodgers.
I honestly don’t see Lester being dealt…
I want the Sox to get something for him in case he leaves in the offseason. These next few days are going to be exciting!
Wow did not know Jose Tabata was converted to third base..?
Wow did not know Jose Tabata was converted to third base..?
There is no doubt in my mind I would trade away “third baseman Jose Tabata.”
I wonder if that’s suppose to say Pedro Alvarez instead of Jose Tabata?
Nope, Singer mentions Tabata. I went searching to see if Tabata had all the sudden been moved to 3B because of Alvarez’s throwing issues, but that would just be nuts.
I never thought Jose Tabata could be a wild card in a Jon Lester deal. Seen he was pulled from the AAA lineup tonight. That’s crazy
I never thought Jose Tabata could be a wild card in a Jon Lester deal. Seen he was pulled from the AAA lineup tonight. That’s crazy
I wonder if that’s suppose to say Pedro Alvarez instead of Jose Tabata?
If I’m the Sox, I need Bell to get a deal done with the Pirates. If they can get the NL Central bidding against each other the untouchables may start to become available.
No doubt. One of the teams is going to over pay for a chance to win the division and hope to make a world series run.
Yeah, hoarding all these good prospects won’t pay dividends until later.
But you can’t guarantee that Lester does any of that for any team that trades for him.
Well, with the restrictions that PIT has put on a trade, it looks like Lester is not going there
Just to change things up a little, what about a deal where the Pirates get Lester and Tazawa for Bell, Sampson, Cumpton, and Lambo?
I would actually do that deal if Lambo was switched to JaCoby Jones
Jose Tabata was pulled from the starting lineup before tonights Triple A Indy game. Something is brewing
Jose Tabata was pulled from the starting lineup before tonights Triple A Indy game. Something is brewing
“Third baseman Jose Tabata”? What is that supposed to mean? Jose Tabata has never played third base in his life. Please fix this mistake from the latest update (7.50pm-cdt).
Okay, I appreciate the heads up, but take it easy. It’s an honest mistake. There are tons of reports flying around right now, and I came up with that from … I don’t know, left field.
It’s fixed.
Okay, I appreciate the heads up, but take it easy. It’s an honest mistake. There are tons of reports flying around right now, and I came up with that from … I don’t know, left field.
It’s fixed.
Josh Bell, Alen Hanson, JaCoby Jones, Adrian Sampson, and Jose Tabata for Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Andrew Miller. Who says no?
I’d like to think the Red Sox wouldn’t want Clay Buchholz as their top starter heading into 2015. Even with that haul the Sox would be hard pressed to let Lackey go, because they want to be competitive next year.
Clay is a giant question mark. We could get 12-1 Clay from last year or this one…
Which is why no one wants him as #1. A reliable guy in front of him is needed, and with Lester likely gone Lackey will be needed.
They should keep Lackey for sure. You think Anthony Ranaudo gets a shot at the rotation for ’15?.
It’s too early to tell. He’d have to leap frog de la Rosa, Workman and Webster and with Owens not far off either there’s a lot of competition. de la Rosa projects more as pen arm and Workman is proven in the bullpen it could open a lane for him, but it’s a stretch at best.We’ll get a clearer picture on where everyone stands in September.
I’d like to think the Red Sox wouldn’t want Clay Buchholz as their top starter heading into 2015. Even with that haul the Sox would be hard pressed to let Lackey go, because they want to be competitive next year.
Even if the Red Sox were better than 70% certain Lester would come back, would you really want to roll with Buchholz as your #2 to start 2015?
More likely if Miller and Lackey are included it would be Bell, Glasnow, and a midlevel guy. Lackey is more valuable than Price right now, so he wont be cheap at all.
Yeah keep telling yourself that. No chance is Lackey more valuable than Price
Yeah keep telling yourself that. No chance is Lackey more valuable than Price
Jose Tabata is an outfielder not third baseman… would be a heck of a thing to get rid of Tabata and his contract, even though it’s a team friendly one
No doubt the GM’s who have Lester, Price, Hammel, all looking for a better deal then what the Cubs got for Samardzija. All want a top notch prospect in return. Most likely, these pitchers will not be traded.
Would be hilarious if Amaro is the only one that makes a deal.
If the GM who has Lester is thinking he can do better than the deal for Samardzija then he needs his head examined. You do realize that Lester’s a free agent and Samardzija’s locked up for one more year? No matter how much more you think of Lester it doesn’t merit a better deal. He can land something worthwhile — I won’t argue with you there. But more than Samardzija? No.
You aren’t really comparing Shark to Lester, are you? Apples and Oranges. Lester has won 110 games and two WS. He’s a proven stud having a great year.
Another year of control is very valuable though. Lester is the better, proven pitcher but that extra year at a good price for a solid pitcher has good value.
In saying that though, I might give a little bit better of a package for Lester than Shark.
Another year of control is very valuable though. Lester is the better, proven pitcher but that extra year at a good price for a solid pitcher has good value.
In saying that though, I might give a little bit better of a package for Lester than Shark.
I think the NL Central is going to be the key for Jonny boy.
Lester isn’t pitching tomorrow so im guessing he’s going to get traded
Farrell says it’s just in case he gets traded, but didn’t say that it was a sure thing.
Farrell says it’s just in case he gets traded, but didn’t say that it was a sure thing.
Reading that list of Pirates untouchables has restored my faith in Neal Huntington’s sanity. I was positively nauseous at the idea the Bucs would even consider trading away elite A+ quality prospects like Bell, Glasnow, etc for a two month rental. The idea they would even consider that is absolutely inconceivable.
Using Alen Hanson as a centerpiece of a trade is much more palatable. It would still pain me to see the Pirates parting with such a high quality prospect – Hanson would rank top 3 in 20-25 other systems easily – but I can stomach that sort of trade much more. Especially if Boston also takes Tabata off our hands. I actually think Jose could be a decent major league regular but not in our stacked OF. Plus, once his contract is off the books, they can afford to give his money to somebody more deserving like Neil Walker.
I am not even if favor of giving up Hanson as the centerpiece…Jacoby Jones, ok, but not Hanson for a 2 month rental. He would be added to my untouchables, along with Reese Mcguire.
There’s no way you get Lester without giving up a top 5 prospect. More likely Bell will have to be included to make it work.
Then I wouldn’t want Lester. Not worth it for only 2 months
Hanson’s stock is dropping with the Pirates. He is a terrible defensive shortstop and apparently he as attitude problems. I’d love to see another team bite on him.
So Jose Tabata is a third baseman now?
You’re five minutes ahead of me. I scrambled over to baseball reference to see if there was something I had missed with him.
I’ll play Tabata wherever I darn well please!
(edited)
Awesome. That means Boston might be getting another Brock Holt.
Has Tabata ever pitched ?
Has anyone given him the chance? From here on I shall refer to him as: “OF/3B/RHP Jose Tabata.”
Done deal. I’ll e-mail Ben and tell him to hang up the phone.
Negotiations are over.
He’ll never get anybody better than this.
Where? I will go with Tigers, as their three inning closer for every other game.
Hope it’s the Pirates. Tabata scratched late from AAA tonight. Alvarez not playing today against a RHP (although it could be his knee bothering him). Just hope we wouldn’t give up anything too extreme.
Lester officially scratched from tomorrows start…the buccos are actually gonna pull this off I think! Im hoping for something along the lines of Jacoby Jones, Barret Barnes Andy Oliver, and Jose Tabata for Jon Lester and Andrew Miller
If I’m Lester I’m hoping for a trade. His FA value goes up even more without the QO (though it wouldn’t have hurt his value too much) it may be a 5-10 million dollar difference for him.
Lester’s career with Red Sox is likely over as well. Boston is cheap when it comes to players now… but somehow finds a way to charge $70 for 100 year old seats with leg room for a 3rd grader directly behind poles.
lol payroll is 150 million and 5th in the league not exactly pinching pennies
Curious to see if Pittsburgh can get Lester without giving up any of their top 5 prospects, history shows that you need to give up a guy in the top 100 and a few lower end prospects to get someone like Lester even for 2 months.
Curious to see if Pittsburgh can get Lester without giving up any of their top 5 prospects, history shows that you need to give up a guy in the top 100 and a few lower end prospects to get someone like Lester even for 2 months.
Hanson ranks #60-75 on almost every top 100 list. Jones appears on many of those as well, although somewhat lower. Like I said below, the rankings are very skewed because the Pirates system is so deep. In 20-25 other systems, a guy like Hanson would be a top 3 prospect.
Didn’t know Hanson was rated that high, they could definitely get Lester with for Hanson and a few average prospects
So very happy that the Pirates bullet appears to show NH is using his brain. One question: When did Jose Tabata turn into a 3B? He’s always been an OF
The M’s GM and all assistants to team including directors made the trip to Cleveland. Wouldn’t be surprised if the M’s are the team to trade for Lester and have him start in Cleveland on Thursday.
Pirates.
Ok so with the Brewers, Orioles, and Blue Jays likely out. That leaves the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates left (unless the usual “mystery team” appears). This is getting intense.
Since when is Tabata a third baseman? Thought he was an outfielder.
While I believe in JD Martinez’s breakout this season, part of me thinks the Tigers should risk trading him for a package of Lester, Victorino, and Andrew Miller and some cash to help cover Victorino contract, nabbing seemingly the last 3 pieces I think we need for a championship this season. Lester is the proven lefty ace that we have lacked each post season. (Verlander, Scherzer, Sanchez, Fister were all righties). Miller could be exactly the dominant lefty we need out of the Pen. And while Martinez has been much better than Victorino this season, I think Victorino’s extensive playoff performance history make him a better gamble than Martinez. Considering Martinez is controllable through 2017, I could see Boston taking that deal and gambling Martinez’s breakout is legitimate.
Jose Tabata was just pulled from the game in Indianapolis, AAA Pirates
Is he still married to that 40 something year old?
I’m pretty sure he is the 40 year old.
Ha!
Lester may have been scratched, but the breaking news and quite frankly fantastic news is Vin Scully is coming back for the 2015 season!
I just thought, I would break the monotony here with some good news!
Vin Scully is simply the best ever.
Why wouldn’t he come back, with that team and owners deep pockets.
It’s a no brainer.
Money isn’t the issue, health is. You really think that Vin is concerned about money at this age? Come on man! haha
Great news though, Vin seems to have a little more hop in his skip today.
First it was a joke. (kind of) Second, I meant the owners are willing to spend money on the team.
Although I’m sure Mr. Scully is well compensated.
First it was a joke. (kind of) Second, I meant the owners are willing to spend money on the team.
Although I’m sure Mr. Scully is well compensated.
Vin Scully is simply the best ever.
Why wouldn’t he come back, with that team and owners deep pockets.
It’s a no brainer.
Best news of the season short of a Dodgers WS title!!!
The day we don’t have Scilly and Uecker is going to be one sad day for baseball.
Someone do SOMETHING, it’s been a yawner of a trade season thus far
What’s up with the red sox, they win the world series and nine months later their trading a franchise player. Can’t imagine the Yanks ever doing something like that.
Maybe that’s why they only have 1 World Series title in the last 14 yrs.
Still 1 more than the majority of teams have won in that span.
except the redsox.
except the redsox.
3 in 10 baby!
All Day.!
2004 3 yrs, 2007. 6 years 2013
Hopefully don’t have to wait until 2025 for the next one.
I’m hoping it’s 3-6-3-6 the rest of the way, haha.
It’s more like 3 in 96 years.
Best team in the last decade. Fact.
The Giants 2010 & 2012 and Cardinal 2006 & 2011 fans would disagree with you. They both also have a shot to win this year as well. Your team has thrown in a few last places finishes in the last decade as well.
You conveniently left off four years. The Yanks have won five world series in the last 18 years and have appeared in two others. It’s pretty sad that you went from a championship team to a last place team looking to sell one of your home grown heroes. The guy has said multiple times he wants to stay with the team even if he gets traded. I’m sure Pedroia is not happy the front office is giving up and is selling. My point is I can’t remember the last time the Yanks gave up and sold. Even this year the team is barely a .500 team but Cashman is still making deals trying to get the team into the playoffs. I feel sorry for Lester, the team would rather trade him and get some prospects that may or may not make it in the majors instead of letting him finish his possible last year in Boston. Where’s the respect and loyalty to this guy. There’s not one Boston fan out there who thought your season would turn out this bad you’d have to trade Lester. I don’t want to hear you’re doing this to improve the team in the future. Your team was built to win this year.
No one knows what the off season will hold but from what I’ve heard both sides are confident Lester will be back in Boston next season. There is no rift in that relationship. If they can get a couple prospects to loan Lester out for a few months than you do that, especially when you’re desperate for chips to give Miami for Stanton. I think people find it too hard to believe that the Red Sox can snag someone’s top prospects and then bring Lester back after the season, I believe it’s the most likely scenario. Only time will tell!
I really don’t think the Sox want to commit to Lester what the Yanks commited to CC. Once these pitchers get into their 30’s you never know when they are going to break down. Verlander is already showing smalls signs of decline and his contract just started. CC hasn’t been good for a couple of years now and who knows how he’s going to be when he returns next year. From what I read Miami is looking to add pieces to contend so there’s no way you’re getting Stanton. I still feel like Boston is disrespecting him by trading him. Home grown, franchise player, world series hero. No way you trade him and hope you get pieces back that may or may not help and there’s no guarantee he’ll come back to Boston as a free agent. If Boston wanted him back I think they would have extended him, but I assume Lester’s contract demands scared them off a bit. Like you said time will tell but again as a Yankee fan I’m really surprised they are trading him.
It wasn’t convenient. My point was it was about 2002-2003
when the yankees payroll started to become out of hand.
Yet they keep doing the same thing and have 1 title since that time. Boston has 3. Sure last year worked, but a lot had to happen, minimal injuries, rookies contributing and some players having career years. That team last year was by far
not the best team in baseball. It would basically be the same
team next year as this year. It might take awhile for them
to get back on top. Why would they want to pay a 37 year
old pitcher over 20 million . Lester is having his best season
Look at his career stats, He’s not in the same league as
kershaw, hernandez etc… It’s not about respect it’s a business. Built to win this year, we didn’t. its broke so
they are trying to fix it. Just in a different way than the yankees. Not by just adding more contracts.
There are certain players on teams that you need to take care of. They took care of Pedroia didn’t they? How old is he when his contract is up? I think Lester deserves a little more respect then he’s getting from ownership and from what I’m reading from you the fans. You guys could care less now that he’s moving on. I know he’s not as good as Kershaw and the others you mentioned but he is your ace and you’re going to be a worse team in the next so many years without him. If it were Lackey or the other starter they just traded I could see your point but this is your own home grown guy. The Yanks won the other four championships with the highest payroll in baseball as well so I’m not sure of your point regarding payroll.
They were the highest payroll but not by such a hugh margin
There were times they were over 80 million above everyone else. Pedroia is taking way less then he could be making.
Like I said. it’s a business. A few years ago we traded away
gonzales, crawford, beckett and that worked out ok. The Redsox will survive. You can’t tell me that yankee fans are tired of seeing huge contracts under achieving and on the DL.
I’m a lifetime Pirates fan and I understand the economics of small-market baseball as well as anyone, but in this National League and this division, the time is NOW for this team. The outfield is set for the next five years – Cutch, Marte, Polanco with Austin Meadows, Harold Ramirez, Jacoby Jones waiting in the wings behind them. Josh Bell is a fantastic prospect and he will probably be an above-average MLB power hitter, but I don’t see him making an impact with the Pirates simply because of the talent in front and behind him. If a combination of Bell, Adrian Sampson/Cody Dickson, Allen Hanson, and Jose Tabata can bring Jon Lester and Andrew Miller to Pittsburgh, I’m ready to do it. The NL is there for the taking. The Pirates need a front line #1 SP. Bell could be a big get for Boston, but you have to give talent to get talent. The Bucs are a LEGIT National League contender. I say do it Neal.
Someone who finally makes sense. 😛
Thanks. There are a lot of recently minted Pirates fans who don’t seem to understand the frustration that 20 years of dismal baseball begets. I was 15 years old in October 1992 and I’m not even the slighted bit embarrassed to admit I cried like a baby when Fransisco Cabrera slid into home. What I remember the most about that young Pirates team is the 1990 trade that brought Zane Smith to Pittsburgh from Montreal. The Pirates gave up Moises Alou in that deal, not to mention Scott Ruskin – a guy who had the best curveball in baseball at the time and a young Willie Greene. It was a steep price to pay, but that trade propelled the Bucs to the NL East title in 1990 and he was a huge contributor in 91-92 as well. Zane Smith was no Jon Lester. The window to win in a small market like Pittsburgh is ultra-slim, no matter how great the farm system is. In 5 years when the new hoardes of Pirates fans have gone back to counting down the days until football season in mid-July, myself and thousands of other diehards will still be sitting in PNC Park. I’m not willing to pass up this opportunity to win NOW. I don’t want to mortgage the entire future, but Josh Bell is a small price to pay for another shot at the Cardinals and a pennant. /end rant.
Yeah, it’s easy to be a fan when your team is doing well. I hope the sox trading lester to pitt gets them into the playoffs. It’ll be hard to see lester pitching for another team, but I’ll be rooting for you guys.
The Bucs have had 22 years to look to the future it is time for them to go for it, if you beat my Cardinals, I hope you go all the way.
The Bucs have had 22 years to look to the future it is time for them to go for it, if you beat my Cardinals, I hope you go all the way.
Bell could play first base in the Majors.
Pirates or the Dodgers is another good landing spot for John Lester depending on the right offer for both teams.
Lester is going to the Cardinals.
For what it’s worth tabata was pulled from his triple A game tonight. Lackey, carp and miller could all be dealt too
For what it’s worth tabata was pulled from his triple A game tonight. Lackey, carp and miller could all be dealt too
Lester is going to Pitt. I hope. Would like to see Pitt get that front line guy
John Lester to the Pirates for Alen Hansen, Wyatt Mathiesen, Harold Ramirez, and Adrian Sampson?
Too much for the Pirates to give up unless they get a throw-in from Boston like Miller or Badenhop.
Pretty big talent gap between miller and badenhop. I don’t think anyone in the Sox front office would consider miller a throw in.
I’d do it.
Good as gone
Obviously, he won’t pitch again for the Red Sox.
Obviously, he won’t pitch again for the Red Sox.
I think it’ll probably be the Pirates. Dodgers and Cardinals both showed hesitance when asked about their top prospects. Pirates have enough to get it done.
Won’t be surprised if the Pirates get him, but we’ll see. I’ll prob. be wrong since people are saying Cardinals got it locked.
Lester for a deal based around Piscotty or Bell. Then ship Lackey and Miller to LA to pickup Pederson+
If the Pirates are really in on Lester, it’s got to do with Russell Martin than anything else. The way he handles the pitching staff, coupled with the season he’s having at the plate, virtually assures the he’ll be far too expensive for Pittsburgh to sign next year. Tony Sanchez does not have the skills to replace Martin, and the Pirate FO knows that this is the hour to take our shot.
Sportsnet reports the Blue Jays, Pirates, Orioles, Mariners and Marlins in the hunt as of late last night…not sure how much truth there is considering Sportsnet is in Canada lol
I love these articles… everyone of them claims that the teams who want to trade for these players has no interest in giving anything back. Almost makes one think that these players are going to be traded for a bag of balls.
“I want one of the best pitchers in baseball and in return we’ll see you a bag of balls and a luxury suite for the playoffs so you can watch your former player help us win.”
Riiight.
Red Sox rotation for the rest of the season? Buchholz, Workman, de la Rosa, Webster and Ranaudo?
One just has to laugh uncontrollably when you read the blurb on the Pirates. There’s no one off the table in talks for Lester. If you have anyone you think you’re excluding, then you’re not even in the conversation to get him. It would take a package like Taillon and Meadows to make them even competitive in this process.
It looks like the Pirates may be shipping away a combo of minor leaguers which may consist of Tabata, Mel Rojas, Edwin Espinal, and/or Jeff Roy.