Free agent pitcher Jon Lester has no shortage of suitors, and a notable name in his former clubhouse wants him back on the team. David Ortiz is urging the Red Sox to do everything they can to convince the former Boston star to return to his old stomping grounds.
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The primary suitors for Lester are the Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the San Francisco Giants, and one more team that is rumored to be the Los Angeles Dodgers, but may also be the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lester reportedly wants to make a decision soon, and it is believed that he set a sort of deadline for himself of choosing a team before the winter meetings, which begin next week.
According to media reports, Ortiz told Red Sox brass, "Now is the time to step up, man up, and try to make the guy happy." Ortiz made the comments while speaking at his charity golf tournament in his native Dominican Republic.
"This is a guy who loves Boston, so if I'm the Red Sox, I do whatever it takes to keep a guy like that because that's a guy who brings everything he has every day to the field," said Ortiz. "Not only that, but he cares about the city. He was devastated when he got traded, and I know that. I can personally tell you that. But this is a business, and I know he understands that."
Lester was a fan favorite in Boston, and many wished him well after the trade to Oakland, and they definitely would welcome him back to the team with open arms. Ortiz went on to mention how much the Red Sox need Lester and to say that he wishes him well no matter what happens.
Boston has already made waves by adding two of the biggest available free agent bats in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. Pitching appears to be a major weakness for the team right now, and signing Lester would obviously be a huge help in that area.
Below you can see some recent speculation on Lester's free agency.
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