The final bidding on ace left-hander Jon Lester involves more than just the previously reported Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, according to an ESPN report on Wednesday.
The identity of the fourth team reportedly isn’t known to the other clubs involved. But there is speculation among rival teams that the St. Louis Cardinals remain interested in the free-agent left-hander.
Lester, who played for the Red Sox from 2006 until he was traded to Oakland just before the trade deadline this past season, has also been linked with the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lester, who went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA between Boston and Oakland last season, originally hoped to sign before the winter meetings next week. He is 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in his nine-year MLB career. He is also 6-4 with a 2.57 ERA in the postseason, including going 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA over two World Series with Boston.