MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins “In” On Red Sox Jon Lester?

The trade deadline is just two days away and the beginning of the crazy rumor mill is in full effect. Over the course of the next two days there will be plenty of rumors that come out of nowhere and surprise everyone in baseball.

One of those rumors might just be that the Miami Marlins are interested in Boston Red Sox ace Jon Lester, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden (via Twitter).

The Marlins are not foreingers to being mentioned in big time rumors at the trade deadline, none the less when the rumor includes a Boston superstar headed Miami’s way. Back during the 2008 season, the Marlins were among the favorites to land right fielder Manny Ramirez.

At the end of the day, a no trade came to fruition, as the Marlins did not want to include a prospect at the time that was in High-A, in Mike (now Giancarlo) Stanton.

There’s no telling how that deal would have panned out for the Marlins, but fans are grateful that Giancarlo is still in the Marlins organization and playing at a high level.

The Marlins interest in Lester comes as a major surprise, mostly because of the prospect cost he would cost the Fish and the fact he is a free agent at the end of the season. You have to think many teams could outbid the Marlins for his services in the off-season, when he hits the free agent market.

On the season, Lester owns a 2.52 ERA and a 2.62 FIP. His 4.6 WAR would be more than double the current Marlins pitching leader Henderson Alvarez (2.0).

This is an interesting rumor, but I’d take it with a grain of salt. There are too many factors working against the Marlins to complete this kind of deal and their current strategy of building not only for this season, but next as well.