BOSTON -- It ranks as the question most on the minds of Boston Red Sox fans entering the offseason: What are the chances that the Sox, who traded Jon Lester to Oakland at the July trading deadline after failing to sign him to a contract extension in the spring, can re-sign the ace left-hander as a free agent?

The Sox cannot officially open negotiations with Lester until next Tuesday, five days after the start of free agency, but can signal their interest to Lester and his agents, Seth and Sam Levinson. Only the Athletics are free to negotiate with Lester at this time, and they have said they will not make an attempt to re-sign him, anticipating that his costs will far exceed their budget limits.

Sox GM Ben Cherington, who has said retooling the top of the Sox rotation is a priority this winter, addressed the topic of Lester during Thursday's conference call to announce the re-signing of closer Koji Uehara.

"We know him well and hope we get a chance to talk to him," Cherington said. "I'm sure he'll talk to others and I'm sure we'll talk to others. We just have to get into the offseason and see what comes of it.

"The relationship is in place that will allow for a conversation and from there, we'll see. He'll have options, we will, too, and we look forward to having a constructive conversation at some point."