Lester crosses Giants off list of destinations; Cubs, Red Sox remain favorites

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Though the San Francisco Giants were identified Monday as one of two potential landing spots for free agent Jon Lester, assistant general manager Bobby Evans lamented Tuesday evening at the winter meetings that the club is no longer in contention for his services.

"We did not receive a rose," Evans told Alex Pavlovic of the Mercury News, adding that the Giants made multiple offers to the three-time All-Star.

Lester is now expected to choose between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, each of whom reportedly made six-year offers in the $150-million range, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are also reportedly out of the mix, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Lester was expected to announce his decision Tuesday, but Rosenthal reported that the delay could result from clubs needing ownership's permission to secure the funds necessary to sign the nine-year veteran.