Minor moves: Jon Lester to choose between Giants and Cubs, Josh Lindblom claimed by Pittsburgh Pirates

A couple other pieces of Oakland Athletics news slipped under the radar of this morning's trade sending Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians for second baseman Joey Wendle.

Josh Lindblom claimed by Pittsburgh Pirates

Right-handed starting pitcher Josh Lindblom, 27, was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lindblom had been designated for assignment with Kyle Blanks to clear space on the 40-man roster for Brett Lawrie, Sean Nolin, and Kendall Graveman.

Lindblom came with Craig Gentry to Oakland in the trade that sent Michael Choice and Chris Bostick to the Texas Rangers. He struggled in 2014, ending the year with a 5.79 ERA, highest among Sacramento pitchers with at least 10 starts. He caught a bad break when he got hit in the ankle with a line drive in early July, and made a single appearance at the end of August before the Sacramento River Cats were knocked out of minor league postseason contention.

In his sole appearance for the major league club, Lindblom pitched in the second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on April 2 for 4⅔ innings, giving up two earned runs and leaving with the game tied at two.

Jon Lester is a free agent and is apparently choosing between the Giants and Cubs

Did you know that Jon Lester played for the Oakland Athletics last season? And that he's not coming back now that he's a free agent? Incredible!

Small (payroll) jokes aside, Jon Lester's signing does have some effect for the A's as they look at the free agent market for bounceback candidates and the like:

Secondary SP market about to explode once Lester signs, sources say. Tons of names out there, offers being made.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 8, 2014