The Boston Red Sox could solidify their roster by entering into trades using their surplus of outfielders, but are they willing to trade Yoenis Cespedes this offseason?
Cespedes, who batted .260 with 22 homeruns and 100 RBIs last season, will be playing in the final year of his contract in the 2015 MLB season.
Recent reports indicated that the Red Sox are not planning to offer a contract extension to Cespedes anytime soon, creating speculation that Boston will eventually trade the 29-year-old center fielder.
But when asked about entering into trades to improve their rotation, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington reiterated that they are not engaged in trade talks at this point.
"There is no particular player that we're looking to move, including Cespedes," Cherington told Boston Globe. "But we're going to make the team better in every way we can and we'll try to be open-minded in doing that."
Cherington, whose team is expected to be active on trade front and free-agency market as the new season approaches, added, though, that teams are contacting them about the availability of their outfielders.
"Several teams have asked about our outfielders, not any one in particular," Cherington said. "Because we have some depth there, theoretically, we've gotten asked on that, particularly with teams that maybe match up."
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are reportedly planning to sit down with their former starting pitcher, Jon Lester, to discuss his interest in returning to Boston next season.
Lester, who spent nine seasons in Boston before he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in July for Cespedes, is reportedly willing to return to the Red Sox - but for the right price.
The 30-year-old pitcher previously turned down a four-year offer worth $70 million from the Red Sox. But according to Gordon Edes of ESPN, the Red Sox and Lester could agree to a six-year deal for $20 million per year.
Cherington recently said that they are open to reuniting with Lester, while also adding that the left hander has no reason to avoid them because they parted ways in good terms.
"I feel confident that we're going to be able to have a conversation, a constructive conversation," Cherington said. "There's nothing that has gone on that would prohibit that, but we'll see where it goes. There will be other teams that are interested, too, no doubt."
