The MLB trade deadline got off to a hot start Thursday morning when Billy Beane pulled off a blockbuster sending OF Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox for lefty ace Jon Lester and for A’s outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Lester — who has been the source of trade talks over the past week now — currently employs a 2.35 ERA and 155 ERA+ while joining an already stacked A’s rotation that could be the best in baseball. Lester though is an impending free agent this offseason so it’s clear Billy Beane is all in on winning a World Series this year.
Jonny Gomes who makes his return to Oakland should also provide a nice depth piece for the A’s given what he was able to do as a part-time player last year.
Meanwhile going the other way is Yoenis Cespedes who can still provide the power but currently has a very mediocre slash line of .256/.303/.469 (down from .292/.356/.505 his rookie year). Cespedes is also signed through 2015 with a player option for 2016 meaning the Red Sox could still have a pretty formidable middle of the lineup next year.