Report: Cardinals, Pirates 'pushing hardest' for Red Sox's Lester; Dodgers 'still involved'
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The Baltimore Orioles are seemingly out of the mix for Boston Red Sox left-handed starter Jon Lester, leaving two teams in play with a shot to land him, and a third on the side:
#STLCards, #Pirates pushing hardest for Lester, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. #Dodgers still involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
Orioles general manager Dan Duquette threw cold water on Wednesday afternoon reports that had Baltimore in "serious talks" with the Red Sox about Lester. "That's news to me," Duquette said.
The Cardinals traded for Justin Masterson on Wednesday, and general manager John Mozeliak said he's "not overly optimistic" St. Louis will make another deal, but there the Cardinals are, according to Fox Sports' finest, with Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline creeping ever closer.