Lester open to returning to Red Sox next season if traded

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With the Boston Red Sox virtually out of postseason contention, impending free agent Jon Lester understands the possibility he could be pitching for another team in the very near future. 

The left-hander and the team agreed earlier this week to postpone extension talks until the offseason, and Lester acknowledged he could be dealt before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline, but didn't rule out re-signing with the Red Sox next season even if they deal him.  

"If that's where they want to go with it, that's fine," Lester told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "No hard feelings. Hopefully come November I'll be right here and won't have to worry about it."

Lester is in the midst of a career-year. In 21 starts, the 30-year-old is 10-7 with a 2.52 ERA to go with 149 strikeouts in 143 innings and could bring the Red Sox a decent return despite being a rental player. 

"Yeah, why not?" Lester said about returning despite potentially being traded. "I mean, this is what I know, this is what I love. Like I've said plenty of times, this is where I want to be. And if they trade me I completely understand. No hard feelings. I know what they have to do for their organization, and if that involves me, so be it. If it doesn't I'll keep running out there every five days and pitching. And hopefully in November we get something done."