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Yes, Jon Lester. The world is waiting on you. Kindly let us know when it can start revolving again.
In a busy first day of the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, reports are that Lester, the top starter on the market, is prepared to make a decision on his future by Tuesday. And, it appears as if he's winnowed down his choices to a select few.
Sources: Barring late change, Lester choosing between #Cubs, #SFGiants.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2014
The Phillies are obviously watching the Lester developments with great interest. There have been strong links to the Red Sox, Dodgers and Cubs, and if Lester signs with San Francisco, all three teams would still be in need of an ace starting pitcher.
Yes, Max Scherzer would still be hanging around the free agent market, but I've got that covered already.
Maybe the Phillies should sign Scherzer to make sure there is one more bidder for Hamels. #IAmSoSmrt
— John Stolnis (@FelskeFiles) December 8, 2014
Why the Phils haven't hired me to be a part of their front office, I have no idea. I feel they're missing a valuable voice.
But with Scherzer the only ace free agent left, and Jeff Samardzija really the only other number-one starting pitcher available in a trade (NOTE: Samardzija was acquired by the Chicago White Sox late Monday night), the Phils would be set up well if the Giants were the ones to snag the former Red Sox hurler.
And according to one of the Phils' best beat writers, a match-up with the Dodgers might be in the works.
In talking with execs and scouts, belief is Phillies may have better Hamels match with Dodgers than Red Sox. Boston stingy with prospects.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) December 8, 2014
If Boston is still in the running for Hamels, it's believed the Phillies are not looking for every single good prospect Boston has.
Phillies haven't identified any one player as "must-have" from #RedSox. But they'll need players from group of top prospects to move Hamels
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) December 8, 2014
Sox have pieces to make deal for Hamels if they go that route, according to a source
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) December 8, 2014
I'm told that Phillies would not insist on Swihart to make deal for Hamels
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) December 8, 2014
RT @mlittlefield3: @GordonEdes Betts? Mookie would loon as a key piece, is my understanding
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) December 8, 2014
According to Edes, the Phils would not need to get back Boston's prized catching prospect, Swihart, but young outfielder Mookie Betts would almost certainly have to be in the conversation. Makes sense.
And the Cubs, if they miss out on Lester, have a ton of prospects from which to deal, although momentum seems to be stalled there as Chicago and general manager Theo Epstein try to land Lester.
If San Francisco gets the former Boston and Oakland All-Star, the Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers would grow even more desperate for a starter, hopefully driving the bidding war even higher for Cole.
Hopefully, the dominos will start falling soon.
MARLON BYRD TRADE OPENING DOOR FOR JEFF FRANCOUER?
This was tweeted out today. I'm just going to post the tweets, and then you can react on your own. I reacted by punching myself in the face about 10 times.
"Strong possibility" the #Phillies trade Marlon Byrd http://t.co/zRNg7dvftB
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) December 8, 2014
OK sure, no problem there. Absolutely.
2. Strong possibility that Marlon Byrd is dealt and RF opens for #Phillies
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2014
2 reasons Jeff Francoeur picked minor Lge deal with #Phillies 1. Charlie Manuel promised to work with swing try to rekindle career (cont)
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2014
Yeah. Sherman is postulating that, if the Phils deal Byrd, we could be subjected to a full season of watching Jeff Francoeur try to do baseball things.
I think I'll go drink some battery acid now.