The Boston Red Sox and Jon Lester are reportedly negotiating a long-term deal that would bring the starting pitcher back to Fenway Park next season.

Gordon Edes of ESPN reported that one Major League Baseball executive close to the situation is convinced that Lester will re-sign with the Red Sox, almost four months since Boston traded him to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

After the trade was consummated before the deadline, sources revealed that Red Sox executives were confident that Lester would just be a one-season rental for the Athletics.

Former Red Sox teammates also made it no secret that they expect Lester to return to Boston at some point in his career.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington recently expressed confidence that they would reacquire Lester, pointing out that they parted ways in good terms before last season's trade deadline.

"I feel confident that we're going to be able to have a conversation, a constructive conversation," Cherington said via Boston Globe. "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."

The Red Sox previously tendered a four-year, $70 million contract, but the left-hander turned it down because he felt he deserved a more lucrative offer. He proved it last season after going 16-11 in 32 starts with a 2.46 ERA.

According to Edes, the Red Sox are planning to offer a six-year deal worth around $120 million. The Red Sox previously declined to offer long-term deal to pitchers above 30 years old, but team executives are reportedly convinced that Lester will remain durable in the next several years.

When asked about offering a lucrative long-term deal to Lester, Cherington declined to comment, but he pointed out that they will do anything possible to improve their team next season.

"What I would say is that we are committed to building a winning team next year," said Cherington, whose team finished fifth in the American League East standings with a dismal 71-91 record. "We want to do that in a way that, of course, makes sense for the long term, but we are committed to building a winning team next year."

For the latest sports news, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter.

FOR MORE MLB UPDATES, TRADE AND FREE AGENCY NEWS, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE.

Related