CBS Sports – The Red Sox have traded Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes and cash to the Athletics for Yoenis Cespedes, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has confirmed. Boston will also receive Oakland’s competitive balance pick in the 2015 draft.
________________________________________________________________________
So it is done. Jon Lester (and Jonny Gomes) is no longer a member of the Red Sox, the only team he has known until today.
I can’t say I love the trade since Lester was my boy, but I do like Cespedes, and if the Sox do try to and successfully somehow resign Lester in the offseason, this would be a GREAT trade. The Sox needed some offensive pop in their line up, especially in the outfield.
Defensively, they are great. Bradley should win a Gold Glove (probably won’t though) and Victorino, while hurt most of the year, is always solid. Now adding Cespedes adds power in the line up and another arm in the outfield. I’d like to see anyone try to run on Bradley and Cespedes.
Let’s not forget Jonny Gomes either. While his play declined this year, along with his playing time, he was a genuine guy and seemed like a great guy in the clubhouse. It also seemed like he truly loved the city of Boston.
In case anyone was wondering, the Sox DO NOT play the A’s again this year.