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Jon Lester Rumors: Pitcher Eliminates Red Sox, Will Sign With Giants Or Cubs

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The pursuit of free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester could be nearing an end after he eliminated the Boston Red Sox from contention and will either sign with the Chicago Cubs or the San Francisco Giants.

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Jon Lester is one of the two marquee free agents on the market along with Max Scherzer and he could be nearing a decision where he will sign a lucrative deal after eliminating his former team, the Boston Red Sox, from consideration, according to Ken Rosenthal.

The chase for Lester is down to the Chicago Cubs and the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.

Chicago has made Lester their priority and reportedly have a six-year, $136 million offer on the table for the left-handed starter while the Giants got involved after losing third baseman to the Red Sox and could divert the funds they wanted to spend on Sandoval toward Lester.

Both franchises are appealing to Lester where he can be reunited with the front office that drafted and developed him in Boston where Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are the Cubs president and general manager, respectively, and the lure of winning in Chicago has always been appealing and their arsenal of elite prospects makes that a tantalizing opportunity. Lester visited Chicago earlier this offseason.

The Giants can offer Lester to the opportunity win now, not in the near future, and the opportunity to form a formidable 1-2 punch with World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner and give the Giants two of the three best lefties in the game while pitching in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Lester’s representative met with the Giants for two hours on Sunday, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Lester went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA last year in 32 starts for the Red Sox and A’s.

For more MLB coverage this offseason stay on FanSided.com to stay on top of the latest updates around the world of baseball, including the latest news, free agent and trade rumors and injury updates.

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