One Less Landing Spot for Lester? Masterson on the Move to St. Louis

With one day to go before the trade deadline, the moves are starting to happen.

Former Red Sox righthander Justin Masterson has been traded by the Indians to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Indians will acquire minor league outfielder James Ramsey, the Cardinals’ first-round draft choice in 2012, in return for Masterson.

The 29-year-old righty was set to return to the Indians Friday after a stint on the disabled list. Masterson was 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA for Terry Francona’s Indians this season and was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season.

The Cardinals had been rumored to be one of the frontrunners for Lester — who appears to be headed out of Boston after being scratched from tonight’s start. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “a high-ranking Cardinals’ executive said the Cardinals still remain in the hunt” for either David Price or Lester.

Earlier today on WEEI, ESPN’s Buster Olney indicated that he believed the Cardinals were the favorites to land Lester in a deal.

Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com first reported the Doubront deal.