If David Ortiz were running the Boston Red Sox, he wouldn't trade Jon Lester.
The slugger wants the two sides to agree on a long-term contract extension to keep the left-hander in town.
There have been rumors that the Red Sox are listening to offers for Lester ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
"They should [come to an agreement]," Ortiz said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game. You definitely want to rebuild around a guy like him. He brings everything to the table every time he takes the mound. He takes his job very seriously. He's one of the best in the game.
"He's in the top three in the league. This is a guy who is very valuable to this ballclub. He's young. He's very talented. He's won a couple of World Series and you can't ask a guy for no more than what he's done. He's in his prime."
Lester will be a free agent after the season.