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Report: Jon Lester Drawing Interest From Six Teams

By Ed Carroll

Aug 17, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) walks to the dugout after being replaced in the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) walks to the dugout after being replaced in the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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At least six MLB teams have reportedly expressed interest in Oakland Athletics free agent starter Jon Lester, including his former team, the Boston Red Sox.

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MLB free agency is like anything else in life — this isn’t Nam, Donnie, there are rules here. When a free agent of Jon Lester’s caliber and quality hits the market, there are established rules to the dance, and Lester’s free agency is no different here.

We’ve already had step one, which is when a club with some sort of tie to the player, be it hometown, family or other, is connected publicly to said player, like Lester’s former team, the Boston Red Sox.

Now we’re at step two: when anonymity reigns.

This is no shot at Bradford, but rather just the ridiculousness of the news cycle of free agency. We simply don’t know who the other teams are, but hey, report it anyways. We know the Chicago Cubs are interested, along with the Red Sox, and we can apparently rule out the Seattle Mariners, Lester’s hometown team. Those other four teams though? Mystery Team.

There’s undoubtedly going to be interest in Jon Lester this offseason. But this is partially just smoke blown by Lester’s agents. Hard to blame them, they’re paid to do everything to help a client maximize what he can earn.

But be careful not to fall for the hype of the Mystery Team offer, it could be fools gold. The Cubs and Red Sox are interested, as are the A’s, presumably, at the right price (aka almost assuredly less than Lester wants to sign for), and the Mariners are right out.

That’s what we know so far, but damnit, we need to follow the rules. It’s over the line, mark it zero. Unless it isn’t, then mark it eight.

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