Orioles, Red Sox in discussions on Jon Lester trade

The Orioles and Red Sox are in serious discussions on a deal that would send left-hander Jon Lester to Baltimore, according to a report from Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com. According to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, the sides are in "advanced discussions" but do not have a deal in place, as the Red Sox have alternatives in case they are unable to complete a deal with the Orioles.

Lester, who was scratched from his start on Wednesday night in anticipation of a potential trade, has also been linked to the Pirates, Dodgers, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Athletics in the last 24 hours, with St. Louis, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh seeming to be the most active teams. The O's and Jays were thought of as unlikely destinations because they are in the AL East with the Red Sox, but Baltimore appears to have climbed their way into the frontrunner position with 24 hours to go before the trade deadline.

One potential piece of a deal with the Red Sox is right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, according to Ghiroli, but sources indicate that Gonzalez has not yet been notified of a deal at this time. As Roch Kubatko of MASN.com reported, the Red Sox are looking to acquire either Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy in a deal with the Orioles, which the O's have expressed is unlikely due to their unwillingness to part with top young arms. Because of this, the two teams have involved a third team in talks and are working on a three-team deal, according to Jen Royle of the Boston Herald.