Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates Are the two favorites (Cardinals, Dodgers) for Jon Lester out of the mix? At least one of them is believed to be and maybe both.
The Cardinals within the last hour traded for starting pitcher Justin Masterson, giving up outfield prospect James Ramsey. Ramsey was the Cardinals No.8 rated prospect by Baseball America.
The Red Sox have been asking for a significant haul for Lester but the suitors are starting to dwindle because of the asking price.
Some believe the Cardinals are likely out of the mix for Lester, though, that necessarily might not be the case just yet.
I'm told Masterson acquisition does not necessarily take Cardinals out of the Jon Lester sweepstakes.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2014
Meanwhile, Peter Gammons reports the Dodgers have taken themselves out of the Lester derby and are also not pursuing David Price or Cole Hamels for now.
Dodgers have made it clear they're not trading Pederson, Seager or Urias, no longer on Lester, Price or Hamels. Thinking backend SP, bench
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 30, 2014
Things could be setting up for the Pirates to strike big on one of the big names if they desire, which remains to be seen.
Others believed to be in the mix for Lester include the Orioles, A’s, while some new teams to reportedly emerge include the Marlins, Indians.
Rumors: Yankees exchanged names with Pirates on Paul Skenes Trade