Free-agent starter Jon Lester is drawing interest from the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, according to reports.
Braves, Cardinals interested in Jon Lester
Last week, it was reported that six teams were in on Lester. We knew of two at the time. Now, it appears two more have surfaced.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Lester -- the top-ranked free agent in SB Nation MLB's power rankings -- will meet with Atlanta this week, per ESPN's Buster Olney. The Braves need a reliable arm, and Lester fits the bill. The 30-year-old left-hander hasn't made fewer than 31 starts in a season since 2007 and has eclipsed 200 innings in six out of the last seven years. Atlanta dealt with season-ending injuries to Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gavin Floyd but still managed a staff ERA+ of 108 thanks to surprising production from Aaron Harang and Alex Wood, among others.
The Braves acquired Shelby Miller and minor leaguer Tyrell Jenkins from St. Louis on Monday but have yet to address their offense, which finished 2014 with an 87 OPS+. In fact, Atlanta's situation has only worsened in that regard; Jason Heyward, who posted a 108 OPS+, was sent to the Cardinals in return for the pair of pitchers.
The Cardinals are in on Lester partially as a result of their trade of Miller, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden. St. Louis used Miller to fill a void in its outfield but lost rotation depth as a result, though Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales are realistic options to step into that role if Lester signs elsewhere.
The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox have also been linked to Lester, who posted a 2.46 ERA with 220 strikeouts in 219⅔ innings in 2014.
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