The Dodgers are out on Jon Lester, but that is not the story here.

Jon Lester

Jon Lester went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s. (Getty Images)

SAN DIEGO — From the beginning, the Dodgers’ reported pursuit of free agent left-hander Jon Lester did not read like an earnest attempt to upgrade their starting rotation.

As somebody smart said to me when the week began: “Why would the Dodgers bring in Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi if their off-season plan centered around signing Jon Lester? Ned Colletti could have done that.” It’s a great point. Signing Lester, who is reportedly in line to make more than $150 million over the next six or seven years, simply doesn’t fit the M.O. of a sabermetrically inclined front office trying to create a more nimble roster.

Also, the beginning and the ending of this pursuit were separated by roughly a week, if not a few days. When it surfaced Tuesday that Lester had narrowed his decision to the Red Sox and Cubs, few were surprised.

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Jon Lester and the Dodgers: 10 things you need to know.

Jon Lester

Jon Lester went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s. (Getty Images)

Jon Lester is arguably the best left-handed pitcher on the free agent market. Wednesday, it was revealed that the Dodgers might enter an escalating bidding war for his services (according to reports here, here, here, here and here).

Here’s what you need to know as of Thursday morning:

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