According to the Boston Globe, Lester already has received a six-year offer in the range of $110 million to $120 million from the Red Sox. The Cubs and Braves also have serious interest in Lester.

The market hasn’t taken shape for Scherzer, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, who likes to slow-play the most bountiful contract negotiations. Before the 2014 season, Scherzer and Boras rejected a six-year, $144 million pitch to re-sign with the Tigers.

That gives you an idea of the starting point for a new Scherzer contract. And the team that signs Scherzer would have to relinquish a compensatory first-round draft choice. That isn't the case with Lester.

The Cardinals have never been wary of making deal with Boras. The agent and the team have done business on contracts for a number of prominent Cardinals including Matt Holliday, Kyle Lohse, J.D. Drew and Rick Ankiel.

I’m well aware of the massive risk that comes with pitching contracts that exceed $100 million. In MLB history, 13 pitchers have cracked $100 million in a single contract. CC Sabathia did it twice. The others are Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, Justin Verlander, Masahiro Tanaka, Johan Santana, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Cliff Lee, Mike Hampton and Kevin Brown.