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AL Central Notes: Hanrahan, Tigers, Indians, Moore, Yost

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It’s been more than two months since the Tigers inked Joel Hanrahan, but GM Dave Dombrowski tells Chris Iott of MLive.com that there’s still no timetable for the former All-Star’s return. “Really, there have been no expectations,” said Dombrowski. “Really, he’s made progress, but I can’t also say that he’s close.” As Iott notes, it’s all but certain that Hanrahan won’t return prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, which is unfortunate for Detroit, as it doesn’t give them an opportunity to fully assess what they have in their bullpen.

Here’s more from the AL Central…

  • Iott spoke with Dombrowski for a second piece at MLive.com, but the GM wouldn’t tip his hand when asked about his trade deadline approach. Dombrowski acknowledged that most feel he needs to pursue bullpen help, but he also noted recent improvements from Joe Nathan, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Coke. Iott writes that by process of elimination, the bullpen is the most likely spot for the Tigers to improve. Dombrowski said the level of trade talks to this point has been pretty standard, but he expects them to pick up now that the All-Star Game is complete.
  • In a similar interview, Zack Meisel of the Cleveland Plain Dealer attempts to read between the lines on some vague comments from Indians GM Chris Antonetti. One thing that Antonetti did imply is that he’s not overly interested in rental pieces: “We’re exploring a lot of different things, opportunities to improve our team for the balance of this season and then position us better moving forward, too. We’ve spent a lot of energy on fits for acquiring guys that we’d have control over beyond this year, not just guys that would just be here for the balance of the year.”
  • Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star spoke with Royals owner David Glass about a plethora of Royals-related topics in an excellent Q&A. Some highlights of note are that Glass expressed confidence in GM Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost, refusing to call this a “make or break year” for Yost. He also said he doesn’t feel his club necessarily needs to make a move to contend, but he would consider adding payroll in trades if it created an obvious opportunity for improvement. Regarding James Shields, he wasn’t sure how involved the Royals would be in pursuing him as a free agent.

NL Notes: Mets, Colon, Murphy, Greinke, Fedde

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The National League representative in the World Series will cede the right to home-field advantage as a result of tonight’s All-Star game, which the American League took 5-3. Here’s the latest out of the NL:

  • The Mets still do not know whether they attempt to acquire a bat at the trade deadline, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post (via Twitter). Of course, that would presumably also require a decision that the team will pursue contention; New York is seven games back in the NL East at the break.
  • If, instead, the Mets turn into sellers, one name that has drawn some attention is hurler Bartolo Colon, but Puma reports that the club has not yet received interest in the veteran righty. The 41-year-old owns a 3.99 ERA with 6.6 K/9 against just 1.3 BB/9 through 121 2/3 innings. He is playing on a $9MM salary this year and is guaranteed $11MM for 2015.
  • Another popular name in trade circles is Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, who also has been rumored as an extension candidate as he enters his final season of arbitration eligibility. Murphy says that the team has not yet engaged him in extension talks, reports Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com (via Twitter). At age 29, Murphy owns a .294/.342/.413 batting line with seven long balls and 11 stolen bases.
  • Dodgers starter Zack Greinke says that he will be paying close attention to the coming free agent market as he assesses whether to exercise his opt-out clause after the 2015 season, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. “What happens with [Jon] Lester and [Max] Scherzer will say a lot,” said Greinke. Though the righty notes that salaries seem to still be on the rise, he also says that he is aware of the fact that teams tend to be “paying more for future performance” than past results. As Shaikin notes, Greinke will have the right to choose between another bout of free agency and the $71MM over three years that he’ll have left on his deal otherwise.
  • One notable recent draftee that has yet to sign is Nationals first-rounder Erick Fedde, who fell to the 18th slot (with its $2,145,600 bonus allocation) after undergoing Tommy John surgery. As Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports, there is a growing belief that a deal might not get done. Like several other recent Nats choices whose signings have come down to the wire, Fedde is a client of agent Scott Boras. The high-upside righty wants $3MM, says Kilgore, which he was apparently told he could get by teams picking after Washington. The collegiate junior is said to believe he could still land that level of bonus next year; as Kilgore notes, he will not throw a pitch in the meantime regardless.
  • Per the MLB.com draft signing tracker, Washington has saved a total of $358.2K on its remaining selections from the first ten rounds, with second-rounder Andrew Suarez ($987.8K slot) and ninth-rounder Austin Byler ($145.9K slot) still unsigned, and the latter reportedly unlikely to do so. By my math, assuming the Nats sign Suarez at slot value but cannot ink Byler, they could chip in an additional $278,990 (5% above total slot for signed players, which comes with a 75% overage tax) before hitting penalties that would require the sacrifice of a first-round pick next year. Added to the other savings and Fedde’s own slot allocation, that would mean D.C. could pay Fedde as much as $2,782,790.

Reds To Sign Scott Diamond

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The Reds have signed lefty Scott Diamond to a minor league deal, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). Diamond, 27, was recently released by the Twins.

Diamond struggled through 80 innings at Triple-A this year for Minnesota, posting a 6.52 ERA. He had spent significant time in the Twins rotation over each of the last two seasons. After a 173-inning, 3.54 ERA run in 2012, in which he posted just 4.7 K/9 but a sparkling 1.6 BB/9, Diamond came back to earth last year. Through 131 big league innings in 2013, he allowed 5.43 runs per nine with 3.6 K/9 against 2.5 BB/9.

Minor Moves: Clint Robinson, John Buck, Brandon Hicks

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Here are today’s minor moves and outright assignments from around the league…

  • The Dodgers have outrighted first baseman Clint Robinson after designating him on Thursday, according to the PCL transactions page. In the midst of a highly productive minor league campaign (.309/.402/.523 with 14 home runs), the 29-year-old was able to pick up his first three big league hits during a brief stint with the big club.
  • Catcher John Buck was released today by the Mariners, the club announced. Buck was recently designated for assignment after struggling to a .226/.293/.286 line in his first 92 plate appearances with Seattle. He signed a one-year, $1MM deal to join the club over the offseason.
  • The Giants announced that Brandon Hicks has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Fresno. Hicks was designated for assignment upon Marco Scutaro’s activation from the DL. While he hit just .162 in 242 trips to the plate, Hicks showed plate discipline (13.2 percent walk rate) and some pop (eight homers) in his time with the Major League club.

Latest On Astros, Brady Aiken

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JULY 15, 6:35pm: The concern regarding Aiken involves his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), a source tells Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. “He may have some [of the ligament], but not much,” the source said, apparently referring to the natural size — rather than any tearing — of Aiken’s UCL. A hypothetical Tommy John procedure would not be a straightforward solution in Aiken’s case, the source adds.

While the issue may be “cut-and-dry,” per Drellich’s source, it appears that its interpretation is the crux of the ongoing debate. The young lefty has seen two team doctors and three independent specialists (including Dr. James Andrews) to assess the situation, according to Drellich. Close, Aiken’s agent, told Rosenthal that his client “has been seen by some of the most experienced and respected orthopedic arm specialists in the country, and all of those doctors have acknowledged that he’s not injured and that he’s ready to start his professional career.”

Drellich spoke with an expert orthopedist — Dr. Chris Geary of the Tufts Medical center, apparently not among those who have seen Aiken — who tells him that a congenitally small UCL would not necessarily indicate a greater risk of a UCL tear or lowered success rate if a TJ procedure became necessary. Geary indicated that further information would be necessary to assess Aiken’s overall susceptibility to elbow trouble, and said that other physical attributes could mean that he is perfectly capable of pitching without any particular concern.

9:54am: The Astros believe that Aiken’s MRI revealed a “significant abnormality,” Major League sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Aiken’s adviser, Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, tells Rosenthal that the team has made just one revised offer — a bonus of $3,168,840. That amount represents the minimum bonus Houston would need to offer in order to receive the second pick in next year’s draft as compensation.

Close, who insists that Aiken is asymptomatic and healthy, offered some harsh words for the Astros and the way they’ve handled negotiations:

“We are extremely disappointed that Major League Baseball is allowing the Astros to conduct business in this manner with a complete disregard for the rules governing the draft and the 29 other clubs who have followed those same rules.”

Meanwhile, GM Jeff Luhnow tells Rosenthal that he has been in contact with MLB throughout the entire process to ensure that their actions were within the rules. Pat Courtney, a spokesperson for MLB, said that “Major League Baseball is comfortable that the Houston Astros have acted in complete accord with Major League rules.”

Rosenthal reports that the team informed Nix’s family that the reported $1.5MM agreement between the two sides had to be rescinded because the team first needed to complete its deal with Aiken before finalizing that deal.

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said the players’ association will weigh all options in support of the players. Specifically regarding Nix, he said: “We believe that it is a clear violation of the rules being attempted solely to avoid penalty. The Astros made a deal with Jacob Nix and should honor that agreement.”

This Friday is the deadline for teams to sign their draft picks.

JULY 7, 4:19pm: Drellich spoke with Aiken’s athletic trainer, Paul Flores, who says that to his knowledge, Aiken is “absolutely healthy.” Flores says that there is nothing Aiken is unable to do in their regular workouts, adding: “When it comes to throwing off a mound, that’s not my area of expertise. But I know he’s throwing, so. He’s not in pain. He comes to me after, and I always ask, … ’How do you feel today?’ … He always tells me he feels great — and not good — great.”

1:25pm: The ominous delay between No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken’s arrival in Houston to sign his contract and the announcement of an official deal now has some clarity, as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that Aiken has an issue with a ligament in his left elbow. The Astros are now seeking to reduce his signing bonus from the previously agreed upon $6.5MM to $5MM, according to Heyman’s sources.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports speculated recently that there might be an issue with Aiken’s ligament, noting that the curiously long delay between his arrival to sign his contract and an announcement from the Astros was similar to the delay when a free agent fails his physical.

As Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle explained in late June, Aiken would become a free agent if he failed his physical and the Astros did not make an offer of at least 40 percent of his slot value (roughly $3.17MM). Clearly, based on Heyman’s report, Houston is still comfortable enough with Aiken’s elbow that this scenario is unlikely.

However, the Astros would also lose the value of Aiken’s slot from their bonus pool should he elect not to sign, which would be problematic. The Astros were set to save about $1.4MM on Aiken’s original $6.5MM bonus, and a great deal of those savings were reserved for the $1.5MM bonus they’ve agreed to with fifth-rounder Jacob Nix — a bonus that is $1.13MM over slot. It is in Houston’s best interest to get some form of deal worked out, as losing Aiken’s slot would drop Houston’s overall pool to roughly $5.44MM, leaving them unable to officially sign Nix at that figure without incurring penalties in future drafts (the maximum penalty, which is enforced if a team exceeds its draft pool by more than 15 percent, is the forfeiture of a team’s next two first-round picks and a 100 percent luxury tax on the overage).

Obviously, the news is troubling for Astros fans, who had hoped Aiken would sign quickly and begin his progression from high school superstar to the mound Minute Maid Park. The Astros have until July 18 to finalize a deal with Aiken. The team would receive the No. 2 selection in next year’s draft, should it fail to come to terms with Aiken.

AL West Notes: Aiken, Altuve, Appel, Butler, Zobrist, Price

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Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports provided an update on the Astros’ talks with Brady Aiken after speaking to GM Jeff Luhnow, Casey Close of Excel Sports Management (Aiken’s adviser), a league official and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark. Close feels that the the Astros are acting “with disregard” to the draft’s rules, while an MLB official noted that everything about the process has been within the CBA’s guidelines. Here are a few reactions to that story, and some other notes from around the AL West…

  • Jim Callis of Baseball America feels that there’s more than just gamesmanship going on with the Aiken situation (Twitter link). Medical reports are highly subjective, he notes, adding that he can’t see the Astros concocting the concern as part of some plan.
  • Kiley McDaniel of Scout.com tweets that the Astros are being demonized for doing something that is allowed within the rules laid out in the last CBA. He feels that Major League Baseball created this problem by leaving a loophole in the rules. McDaniel also notes that this is what more traditional organizations dislike about the Astos; while their moves can be perceived as smart or strategic, they come off as cold and calculating (All Twitter links). Interested parties should also note that McDaniel’s timeline is full of discussion with his followers regarding this very topic.
  • Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle looks at last year’s extension for Jose Altuve and provides some detail regarding the negotiations. Luhnow and Altuve’s representatives at Octagon had laid most of the groundwork, but there were some loose ends, so Luhnow had a one-on-one breakfast meeting with Altuve (conducted entirely in Spanish) to address the remaining issues. Drellich spoke to Altuve’s former agent, Scott Boras, who unsurprisingly said that he would’ve advised against taking the four-year, $12.5MM guarantee (which can be worth as much as $25MM if two club options are exercised).
  • The Astros’ No. 1 pick from 2013, Mark Appel, recently had a cortisone shot in his wrist, agent Scott Boras told Drellich at yesterday’s All-Star game festivities. While Boras characterized the wrist issue as minor (Twitter links), it’s hard not to wonder how much the wrist has bothered him in 2014. Appel has struggled tremendously, posting a 9.57 ERA in 36 2/3 innings.
  • The Mariners are casting a wide net in their search for a bat and have even contacted the Royals about underperforming DH Billy Butler, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Those talks are not new, however, according to a tweet from Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune. Over the weekend we learned that the M’s have had serious talks on Marlon Byrd, who would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.
  • Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, meanwhile hears that the Mariners have shown interest in Ben Zobrist of the Rays (Twitter link). Zobrist could fill a variety of roles for the Mariners (among many other teams), as Seattle could stand to improve its production at shortstop or in the outfield.
  • Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN feels that it would be a mistake for the Mariners to pursue David Price, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested they should do last week. Drayer feels that parting with a package including Nick Franklin, D.J. Peterson and Taijuan Walker too closely resembles the Erik Bedard trade that cost Seattle Adam Jones and Chris Tillman. While trading prospects isn’t necessarily something to shy away from, such a trade would too greatly diminish the team’s hope for sustained success, she opines.

Giants Agree To Terms With Second & Third-Round Picks

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4:31pm: The Giants have also inked third-rounder Dylan Davis for a $650K bonus, tweets Jim Callis of MLB.com. That lands just over the $622,300 slot allocation that came with the 87th pick.

The Oregon State outfielder was rated 74th on MLB.com’s list, 77th on that of ESPN.com’s Keith Law, and 93rd by Baseball America. In addition to his power bat, Davis also owns a mid-90s fastball.

11:32am: The Giants and second-round pick Aramis Garcia, reports Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA (on Twitter). The catcher from FIU will receive a $1.1MM signing bonus, which is slightly above the slot value for the No. 52 overall selection ($1,066,900).

Garcia ranked 74th on Baseball America’s list of the Top 500 draft prospects, and he ranked 78th on the Top 200 compiled by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo over at MLB.com. Garcia’s bat draws more praise than his glove from both scouting reports, with BA noting that he profiles as an offense-first catcher with a good approach to all fields. Callis and Mayo note that while he currently has more of a line-drive stroke, some feel that he can grow into more power as his lean, 6’2″, 200-pound frame fills out a bit more. Both outlets note that he has an average throwing arm but will need some work on his footwork and blocking skills.

Garcia’s Junior season at FIU was very impressive from a statistical standpoint, as he batted .368/.442/.626 with eight homers, 14 doubles and two triples. He caught 27 percent of opposing base stealers.

Trade Market For Center Fielders

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Last summer’s trade market didn’t feature much in the way of center fielders on the move, though Justin Maxwell did head from Houston to Kansas City, and David DeJesus found himself traded twice. A year prior, names like Shane Victorino and Scott Podsednik had new jerseys as well.

With this summer’s trade deadline less than three weeks away, here’s a rundown of some center field options whose name could appear on the rumor circuit…

Starters

Dexter Fowler (Astros), Gerardo Parra (D’Backs), Denard Span (Nationals), Desmond Jennings (Rays), Drew Stubbs (Rockies), Cameron Maybin (Padres), Ben Revere (Phillies), Marcell Ozuna (Marlins), Peter Bourjos (Cardinals), Jon Jay (Cardinals), Andre Ethier (Dodgers), Matt Kemp (Dodgers)

  • Fowler’s numbers are very similar to the ones he posted last season prior to being acquired by Houston, and while that might initially suggest consistency, in this case, it’s probably an improvement due to the change in home environment. Fowler’s .263/.369/.407 batting line translated to a 103 OPS+ and a 105 wRC+ — both of which are park-adjusted. His current .270/.377/.396 line translates to a 117 OPS+ and 122 wRC+, suggesting he’s been well above average at the plate. Earning $7.35MM, he’s arbitration eligible for the last time following the season.
  • Parra has played more corner outfield than center in his career, but defensive metrics love him at every outfield position. He’s hitting just .253/.301/.353 this season, however, and his issues against left-handed pitching have long been a problem. Parra is controlled through 2015 and would be a good addition to a strong offensive club that needed a defensive boost.
  • It seems counter-intuitive for a contending club to deal its starting center fielder, but Ryan Zimmerman’s shoulder is a liability at third base now. They could go with an outfield alignment of Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth in the event of a Span trade. Span is hitting a respectable .269/.319/.385 and has long been considered a strong defender. He’s earning $6.5MM in 2014 and has a $9MM option for 2015.
  • Jennings is hitting .246/.337/.391 and well on his way to another three- or even four-WAR season. He’s controlled through 2017, but as a Scott Boras client, a long-term deal for Jennings isn’t likely, and Kevin Kiermaier has looked the part of a capable replacement thus far. There’s no rush for the Rays to move Jennings, however, so the acquisition price would be very steep.
  • The move to Coors Field has been kind to Stubbs, but his production isn’t solely a product of his new home park. He still struggles against right-handed pitching (.284 OBP), but he’s playing his best baseball since 2011. Stubbs is earning $4.1MM in 2014 and is arbitration eligible for the final time this winter.
  • Maybin is still owed $18MM through the 2016 season and has almost as much time on the DL as on the field since signing an extension with the Friars. He’s still a plus defender, and at age 27, a team could buy low with the hope that he’s young enough to rediscover the form he had in his excellent 2011 season with the Padres.
  • Revere is starting for the Phillies, but with a .295/.316/.354 batting line, some clubs may prefer to use him in a reserve role. Despite his excellent speed and penchant for highlight-reel catches, defensive metrics don’t love his work in center and feel he’s better suited for the corners (even with his poor throwing arm). Revere is controlled through 2017 as a Super Two player.
  • Ozuna would represent a long-term piece for any club that acquired him, as he’s controlled through 2019 and is not yet arb-eligible. That gives the Marlins the right to ask for a lot, but with Christian Yelich in left, Giancarlo Stanton in right and a capable replacement in the minors in Jake Marisnick, the team could conceivably afford to part with the 24-year-old Ozuna.
  • Bourjos is one of baseball’s best defensive players, and he’s shown glimpses of offensive potential as well, but he hasn’t found sustained success in the Majors yet. Inconsistent playing time in both Anaheim and St. Louis probably hasn’t done him any favors. With such a logjam in the outfield for the Cardinals, Bourjos could be moved to a club with a long-term center field need. He’s controlled through 2016.
  • Jay could find himself on the block for the same reasons as Bourjos; St. Louis is trying to find a way to get Bourjos, Jay, Oscar Taveras, Allen Craig and Matt Adams playing time between center, right field and first base, and there just aren’t enough at-bats to go around. He’s under control through 2016 as well and comes with a lesser defensive reputation but more offense than teammate Bourjos.
  • There’s no way for the Dodgers to move Ethier without eating a significant chunk of the roughly $62.5MM that remains on his contract. He’s hitting a pedestrian .253/.315/.379 with four homers on the season and has long had platoon issues.
  • Like Ethier, Kemp’s contract is a massive deterrent for any club with interest in acquiring the former MVP candidate. Kemp has spent a good deal of time in left field this year and his hitting .269/.330/.430. He’s owed about $116MM through the 2019 season, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported last month that any trade involving him was unlikely during the season.

Backups

Ryan Sweeney (Cubs), Justin Ruggiano (Cubs), Chris Young (Mets), Alex Presley (Astros), Sam Fuld (Twins), Brandon Barnes (Rockies), Jose Tabata (Pirates), Grady Sizemore (Phillies), Alejandro De Aza (White Sox)

Most of these players come with either defensive question marks, platoon issues, or both. Sizemore has already been released once this year and is probably better suited to play an outfield corner at this stage of his career. De Aza has seen his stock drop with a stark offensive decline in 2014, and he, too, is a better fit at a corner outfield spot.

The cost to acquire any of these players would figure to be relatively inexpensive, though Fuld and Barnes could be viewed as long-term reserves and therefore carry a bit more value to their current clubs. Others, such as Young (DFA candidate) and Tabata (already outrighted) could probably be had simply by taking on some of the remaining salary.

MLB-Ready Prospects

Joc Pederson (Dodgers), Randal Grichuk (Cardinals), Jake Marisnick (Marlins), Anthony Gose (Blue Jays)

With the exception of Pederson, each of these players has already reached the Majors at some point. Grichuk may be better suited to handle a corner spot in the long run (he has more minor league experience in right field), but he’s played a good deal of center field as well. Pederson could likely only be had in a blockbuster-style trade in a bold move for the Dodgers. Marisnick isn’t as well-regarded but comes with a sterling defensive reputation, and could be deemed expendable if the Marlins decide that Ozuna is their center fielder of the future. Gose has about a season’s worth of big league at-bats and is also an excellent defender, but he’s currently refining his swing in the minors.

In addition to all of the names mentioned in this post, several of the players highlighted by Charlie Wilmoth in MLBTR’s look at the trade market for corner outfielders could step into center in a pinch. Will Venable, Alex Rios and Marlon Byrd are just a few examples of such players.

Cuban Slugger Alfredo Despaigne Signs In Japan

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The Chiba Lotte Marine of Nippon Professional Baseball announced that they have signed Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne (via Japanese media outlet Sanspo). Like fellow Cuban stars Yulieski Gourriel and Frederich Cepeda before him, Despaigne has agreed to play in Japan with his country’s permission, under the condition that he returns to Cuba at the conclusion of the NPB season (which concludes prior to the onset of Cuba’s Serie Nacional), writes Baseball America’s Ben Badler.

Despaigne, 28, had been playing in the Mexican League earlier this year (also approved by Cuba), but he was hit with a lifetime ban from the league after it was discovered that he was playing with a fake Dominican passport, leading to speculation about his possible defection. He returned to Cuba after his initial suspension from the league, and Badler speculated at that time that Despaigne may look to play in Japan were he unable to continue competing in Mexico.

In his report on Despaigne signing, Badler likens Despaigne’s body type to that of the late Kirby Puckett during his playing days. The 5’8″, 215-pound Despaigne is “built like a fire hydrant” and possesses 80-grade raw power — more raw power and bat speed than White Sox first baseman and Cuban countryman Jose Abreu, he notes. Abreu, however, has a more balanced swing and is a better overall hitter than Despaigne, whom Badler describes as an all-or-nothing hitter.

Despaigne is a three-time MVP in Serie Nacional, and he currently holds the single-season home run record with 36 (breaking the previous record of 33, set by Abreu and Despaigne’s former teammate, Yoenis Cespedes). His numbers in the Mexican League were outstanding — in parts of two seasons, he slashed .341/.381/.578 with 13 homers in 227 plate appearances. That was nothing out of the ordinary for Despaigne, who batted a ridiculous .326/.483/.695 in his most recent MVP campaign in Serie Nacional, Badler notes.

It’s not known whether or not we will ever see Despaigne in Major League Baseball, but MLB did inform Badler last month that Despaigne’s lifetime ban from the Mexican League won’t have any bearing on his potential free agent stock; MLB does not have an agreement to honor any suspensions from the Mexican League.

Latest On Extension Talks Between Red Sox, Lester

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Red Sox hurler Jon Lester said today that extension talks could open back up “tomorrow or four months from now,” but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the former option seems highly unlikely. In fact, says Heyman, the likeliest outcome now is that no serious run at a new deal will take place until after the season.

Here’s more:

  • Indeed, in other comments today, Lester sounded like he is fairly committed to waiting for further talks, as WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reports. Lester says that his primary concern has been and remains the avoidance of distraction: “I’ve sat down and talked to Ben [Cherington] about that and they understand.” He continued: “Like I said before, I’ve expressed it to them, this is where I want to stay. Regardless of whether we do it tomorrow or we wait until the end of the season, this is where I want to be. Hopefully when we get to the end of the season we can figure something out and get it done.” Of course, as Lester noted, his desire may remain the same, but if he reaches free agency, the club will “just have more competition.”
  • Lester tells Heyman that he was “thrown off” by the club’s recent efforts to re-open discussions during the year. “Since day one I was told [not negotiating in season] was the policy,” said Lester. “The way I think is pretty black and white. They tell me one thing, and we’re hell-bent on that [so to change gears] throws me off.” 
  • Though the lefty says that “the conversation had picked up” when the Red Sox reached out most recently, he noted that he “never received a [new] offer.” Boston was, however, at least willing to move its offer into the nine-figure range, Heyman reports. Now, team sources tell Heyman that the club understands and intends to honor Lester’s preference to table discussions for the time being.
  • Regarding the initial reported four-year, $70MM offer made by the club, Lester expressed no hard feelings, as Bradford reports. “I don’t know if ’exploited’ is the right word, but they’re business men,” he said. “They didn’t get to own the Boston Red Sox by being stupid with money. … I think they just took a shot and like you said, Larry and Ben and the collective group put that offer out there and that’s what they wanted to start at. We had plenty of talks after that as far as moving money and moving years, moving money, but never got to another offer … .”
  • Lester also made clear that he understands his market position: “This is business and [they] have a business to run, and when you think about it, I have a business to run,” he said. “I have to run myself. I get it.” He emphasized that discussions have been “amicable,” saying that “I’ve had great, four or five, maybe six conversations with Ben over the last couple of months.”

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