Report: Baltimore Orioles likely out of Jon Lester sweepstakes
The Baltimore Orioles have taken themselves out of the trade market for Jon Lester, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.
Heyman reported earlier in the day that the Dodgers, Pirates, Brewers, and Orioles are among the "leaders" to land Lester.
Baltimore reportedly does not want to give up its best pitching prospects, including Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Eduardo Rodriguez and Hunter Harvey for a "56-game rental" in Lester.
According to Heyman, the Orioles may have switched their focus to young Astros pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Jarred Cosart.
Lester was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The left-hander is in the final season of his five-year, $30 million contract. He has compiled a 10-7 record with a 2.52 ERA and 149 strikeouts this season for Boston. Going into Wednesday, the Red Sox are 48-59 and 12 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.
More: Contenders in Lester sweepstakes?
- Sarah Barshop