The Red Sox’s offer to Jon Lester is reportedly in the range of $110-120M (presumably over six years), but that’s more likely to be a starting point in the Lester negotiations rather than something that their former ace would accept.

Lester, who has already heard pitches from the Red Sox and Cubs, is meeting with the Braves on Thursday and could visit others as well (Cardinals? Blue Jays? Yankees?), so it’s unlikely that Boston’s offer would be the best one on the table.

The soon-to-be-31 Lester is coming off the best season of his career and is expected to command a contract for at least six years, with projections in the $130 million to $150 million range.

ESPN.com Insider Jim Bowden projects a six-year, $138 million deal for Lester. Here’s his prediction for where Lester lands, made Thursday in his “10 bold predictions for the offseason” Insider piece:

“Most analysts think Lester has pitched his last game for the Red Sox ... I'm not one of them. I think the Chicago Cubs will offer the most years (6) and dollars, but a return to Boston for fewer years (5) and less money is my prediction. The Red Sox desperately need a top-of-rotation starter and won't be a legitimate contender unless they get one. Lester was happy in Boston, and unless the Cubs blow the Sox's offer away, I think that's where he lands.”

How high would you like to see the Red Sox go to bring Lester back?