Most folks believe Jon Lester will never again wear a Red Sox uniform if he is dealt by Thursday's deadline. The sting of being traded from his only organization or the potent memory of the initial contract offer will be too much to overcome, according to this popular belief.
Let's assume that the Sox have a strong interest in re-signing him and run through some hypotheticals.
Congratulations, you're now Jon Lester.
1. You get traded to a contender. To take a realistic example, you now have switched from Red Sox to a red bird on your shirt, and you travel deep into the postseason. You enjoy the Midwest, but the offer you are looking for does not come from your new club. Plus, you miss your family. You grew up with Dustin Pedroia. Y'all played together for the better part of 10 years and poured champagne on each other numerous times. He's not your only brother in Boston; you have a dozen or so more. Are you interested in playing with your kin again?
2. Perhaps you get traded to a contender and are bounced in a one-game playoff. You get shelled. It is painful and the fans bury you. The Internet is abuzz with the narrative that your new club parted with its top prospect for your less-than-stellar contribution. A nation of Red Sox fans pleads with you to come home. You're homesick. Do you consider a great offer from your old club or do you dig your heels in, sharpen your buck knife and promptly remove your own nose?
3. It's the offseason. You have offers from five clubs. The paper slid across the mahogany table from the Red Sox has the most digits. They have thought better of their earlier offer and expressed to you, privately, some rational reasons why they made it. The Sox swallowed their pride and are apologetic about the way the split occurred. Hey, it happens in long-term relationships. Your agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, lean back in the conference room with you, your mom and your dad, and the five of you mull pros and cons. The city of Boston has oodles to offer you and your family. Do you at least consider the best deal on the table?
Now we have a more complete picture to challenge that belief. Net-net, will you remove a viable option from consideration over hurt feelings? Perhaps you would, but is that good business? You decide.
