Red Sox and Rays reportedly told not to trade Jon Lester or David Price to Yankees

As Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approached, two names many were interested in were David Price and Jon Lester.

Price, a former Cy Young Award winner is due to become a free agent after next season, but it became increasingly likely the Tampa Bay Rays were going to move him sooner rather than later.

Lester, on the other hand, will hit free agency after this season. With he and the Red Sox unable to come to terms on a contract extension, it made sense for Boston to get something for Lester before potentially losing him with no return.

So, the Rays dealt Price to the Tigers and the Red Sox shipped Lester to the west coast to the Oakland A’s.

Both are All-Star caliber pitchers, so it’s no surprise several teams were mentioned as possible suitors for each. One club, however, had no chance of landing Price or Lester, according to Newsday’s David Lennon. That team was the New York Yankees.

GMs for Red Sox and Rays both told by ownership they could trade their elite pitchers anywhere in majors — except to #Yankees.

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) August 5, 2014

Well then.

The Red Sox and Yankees did work out a trade involving other players though, as Boston sent Stephen Drew to New York for Kelly Johnson. However, there’s always the possibility Jon Lester or David Price could end up with the Yankees because when it comes to free agency we know they aren’t shy about throwing around money.

H/T Eye On Baseball