In a financial duel for star pitcher Jon Lester, who is going to win?
The Cubs. The Cardinals. The Braves. The Red Sox.
Fans "think" the Cubs have money to burn on star free agents. But nothing has materialized in the last few years. The powder is not dry; it has blown away.
The Cardinals have an interesting budget twist. With Kyle Lohse only making $500,000 on his last front loaded deal, the Cardinals have his "market value" of $10 million as a starter available plus Shelby Miller's potential arb value (another $6 million or so), so St. Louis has free cap space of $16 million to start the bidding for Lester.
The Braves have a new front office after GM Wren's firing, so there may be some incentive to make a big opening splash. The Braves have had a recent history of injured starters. The Cubs sending back Vizcaino for a nominal second baseman may be some insurance. With Medlin and Beachy coming off Tommy John surgeries, the rotation seems it needs a huge shot in the arm.
The Red Sox can be aggressive and they have the best history with Lester. He always said he would be open to returning to Boston. If so, then the trade was a great one for the Red Sox, who acquired Cespedes from Oakland.
It comes down to which team is ready, willing and able to handle a "bad" big money contract (because 70 percent turn out bad)?
I suspect the tale of the tape will be Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves then Cubs running last in a three horse race.
