A reunion between the Boston Red Sox and pitcher Jon Lester appears unlikely.
The Red Sox haven't expressed interest in signing Lester, a source told WEEI's Rob Bradford.
Lester, who had his 2021 option declined by the Chicago Cubs in October, previously mentioned being open to a Red Sox return.
"I'm open-minded to anything," Lester told Bradford last May. "Absolutely, it would be cool to go back and finish my career where it all started,"
The 36-year-old was drafted by the Red Sox in 2002 and spent his first nine big-league seasons with Boston. During that time, he won 110 games, threw a no-hitter, and was a three-time All-Star. He also won two World Series with the Red Sox (2007, 2013).
Boston traded Lester to the Oakland Athletics in 2014, where he spent half a season before departing for the Cubs via a six-year, $155-million contract.
Lester lived up to the large terms of his Chicago deal, authoring a 77-44 record with a 3.64 ERA and 3.86 FIP for the Cubs. He was also named NLCS MVP in 2016, the same season the Cubs broke their 108-year World Series curse.
The veteran southpaw has drawn interest in free agency, with the San Francisco Giants reportedly eyeing him for their rotation.
