The Boston Red Sox are still hoping they will be able to keep Jon Lester from hitting the open market after the season.

Lester has a 3.45 ERA in the final season of a previous contract extension.

Larry Lucchino told WEEI's Dennis & Callahan that he "certainly expect[s]" to engage in further extension talks with Lester's representatives at ACES before the left-hander becomes a free agent.