The Red Sox have traded left-handed pitcher Jon Lester to the Oakland A's in exchange for All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Jon Heyman of CBS and Alex Speier of WEEI in Boston report. Outfielder Jonny Gomes and an unknown amount of cash will be headed to Oakland as part of the deal, while the Red Sox will receive the Athletics' competitive balance pick in the 2015 draft.
Jon Lester, Yoenis Cespedes swap coasts in Red Sox-A’s blockbuster trade
The non-waiver trade deadline has opened with a blockbuster.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Lester was 10-7 with a 2.52 ERA in 21 starts for Boston in 2014, with 149 strikeouts and 32 walks in 143 innings. The 30-year-old has been one of the most durable and reliable pitchers in baseball for over half a decade, averaging 15 wins, 205 innings and 188 strikeouts from 2008-2013, all while putting up a 3.65 ERA and 120 ERA+ during that span.
He was a part of two World Series winners with the Red Sox, in 2007 and 2013, and was 3-0 in his three World Series starts with Boston, allowing just one run in 21 innings with 18 strikeouts.
Lester is making $13 million in 2014, the final season of a five-year extension plus an option signed in 2009. With just over two months remaining in the season, Lester is due roughly $4.33 million for the rest of 2014.
Cespedes, who won his second consecutive Home Run Derby after earning his first spot on the All-Star roster, is batting .256/.303/.464 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI. In nearly three seasons since joining MLB after playing in Cuba, the 28-year-old has compiled a .262/.318/.470 line. He is under contract for $10.5 million in 2015 and can then become a free agent.
The 33-year-old Gomes is batting .234/.329/.354 with six home runs and 32 RBI.
Jeff Passan broke the first news that a trade had occurred.
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