With less than two days before the 2014 MLB trade deadline, there is a growing speculation that the Boston Red Sox will eventually decide to trade Jon Lester, who has been mentioned in several trade rumors over the past several weeks.

Several teams have already expressed interest in acquiring Lester, but ESPN's Jayson Stark named the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and the Seattle Mariners as the most likely landing spot for the left hander.

The Dodgers are currently on top of the National League West standings with their 60-47 record, but they are not expected to rest on their laurels.

Lester, who is 10-7 with a 2.52 ERA this season, is reportedly one of Los Angeles' top target, but Stark reported that the Dodgers are not willing to give up veteran outfielder Matt Kemp.

"They're (Dodgers) in on everybody. And they'd clearly love to add a starting pitcher this dominating. But a Matt Kemp-for-Lester deal isn't going to happen," Stark wrote.

The Cardinals are also a potential trade partner for the Red Sox. Sources said that the Cardinals have the pieces, such as young prospects, to convince Boston to trade the 30-year-old pitcher.

"The guess around the industry is that it's going to take one marquee prospect to serve as the centerpiece of a Lester deal. And the Cards have the pieces to make a trade like that without sabotaging their future," Stark wrote.

On the other hand, the Mariners also emerged a strong candidate to acquire Lester after the Red Sox reportedly sent scouts to take a look at Seattle's young prospects in Triple A.

The Mariners are not in dire need of additional arms, but Stark noted that there is an immense pressure to the team's front office to make a deal, and acquiring Lester, who grew up in Seattle, could become a popular move for Mariners fans.

Talks about Lester's eventual exit intensified on Tuesday night after the Red Sox scratched the nine-year veteran from his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Brandon Workman was called up to take Lester's place.

"I think in light of all the uncertainty surrounding Jon Lester, it's probably in everyone's best interest that he not make that start so Brandon will be recalled," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "There will be a corresponding move roster-wise at some point tomorrow."

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