The Boston Red Sox are looking for big arms. The team has done a solid job of signing big bats to add to the lineup, now they are in the hunt for pitchers, getting linked to some of the biggest names available. As the MLB Winter Meetings get underway, the Red Sox have their eyes on top free agents with trades being their plan B. So as the race for Jon Lester gets crowded, who will Boston turn to if he is not available?
According to ESPN's Bust Olney, Lester is expected to make his decision on a team no later than Tuesday. The current Oakland Athletics ace is not looking to draw out the free agency process and will sign with a team in the next two days. The Boston Red Sox are among the teams pushing for a deal, but the race is corwded as the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are offering big money.
ESPN reports that Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry flew to Lester's home in Atlanta to have a one-on-one meeting with the pitcher. They have been putting the hard sell on their former arm, but it might go unsuccessful as the Giants are rumored as the frontrunners. So where does Boston turn if they cannot land Lester?
According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, Cole Hamels is the plan B for Boston. The current Philadelphia Phillies star is available for trades at the right price and will be the attention of every team who misses out on Lester. Boston could end up being the frontrunner for a trade simply because they have one of the deepest pools of top prospects to pick from in terms of putting together the right package. The Phillies have held out for a long time in regards to a trade of Hamels, but Boston might have the right price to win them over.
Ian Kennedy will also be in the mix for Boston should Lester go unsigned. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Kennedy is a good fit for the team and is a possible second or third starter should Yoenis Cespedes be traded. Kennedy is certainly not at the level of Lester or even Hamels, but could be a quality get. The Red Sox might also attempt to sign either Max Scherzer or James Shields depending on what they are willing to spend.
