Lester to Oakland for Cespedes

[element1286]

Oakland was in no way in the running for Yoni after 2015 anyways. If not at this deadline it was next.

Had to get something in return for him even if it was a rental pitcher.

Oakland A's are selling out for a WS this year. It is genius if the A's win it, if not it is a bitter pill to swallow.

Now. Oakland's playoff rotation is right, left, right, left.... Perfect.

Gray, Lester, Smardj, Kaz.... Or some combo of that.

Ok, but they unquestionably made their lineup weaker for this year, not sure how that fits into the plan of winning the world series this year.

 

[RaiderZar]

Ok, but they unquestionably made their lineup weaker for this year, not sure how that fits into the plan of winning the world series this year.

Aside from a couple of real bloopers, they have weakened their OF too.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Ok, but they unquestionably made their lineup weaker for this year, not sure how that fits into the plan of winning the world series this year.

They have the best offense in MLB. Losing Yoni's bat won't kill the lineup.

And last I checked, pitching wins WS titles.

 

[steveringo]

Why would that be odd?

Please explain. Oakland sure in the hell isn't signing him. He is a rental player for Oakland and that is all.

probably not a chance of getting Lester back. What happened here is exactly what I've been talking about for a couple days. The Red Sox put themselves into a position where they lost control of the discussions about Lester. They made a shit offer to him this Spring and pissed him off , they negotiated in the wide open for all to see and put themselves in a position where they couldn't hang on to him. Anyone who thinks this is a great deal for the Sox is nuts, they got robbed. Yesterday all the Sox fans here are talking about all the prospects it will take and all the ML talent that will come from a Lester trade. Take a look at what ya got for one of the best pitchers in the game. The practically gave away Lester and I'll bet my life he doesn't come back. THIS is a model case of how NOT to handle trade negotiations . The Sox handled this like they've never been here before and they look like amateurs right now.

Yeah, Boston wins this easily. Lester has already said he will pretty much resign with Boston.

First - how many times has it happened? Once or twice?

The Red Sox absolutely lowballed Lester - so much that they (Lester & Agent) didn't even bother to offer a counter proposal. So, yes. Lester is a bit pissed at Boston...

Lester said way back that he would be willing to take a hometown discount. That was well before this season happened.

He will be a FA and will get numerous offers. What Boston will bid will be well below what he feels is a fair hometown discount. In fact, they willl be just another team... Boston will need to make a fair offer for multiple years at big bucks - which is something they are terribly afraid to do (especially for starting pitchers on the wrong side of 30).

All this said - I would love to see him back.

 

[redseat]

Red Sox also had to send cash to the A's

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.

 

[Loneranger]

First - how many times has it happened? Once or twice?

The Red Sox absolutely lowballed Lester - so much that they (Lester & Agent) didn't even bother to offer a counter proposal. So, yes. Lester is a bit pissed at Boston...

Lester said way back that he would be willing to take a hometown discount. That was well before this season happened.

He will be a FA and will get numerous offers. What Boston will bid will be well below what he feels is a fair hometown discount. In fact, they willl be just another team... Boston will need to make a fair offer for multiple years at big bucks - which is something they are terribly afraid to do (especially for starting pitchers on the wrong side of 30).

All this said - I would love to see him back.

all good here , agreed. Most important is what you pointed out : no hometown discount and no one is happier about this than the Yankees. This deal guarantees Lester hits the open market and the Yanks will be all in on this guy you can guarantee it. 2nd and just as important : the Sox just gave away Jon Lester for a 29 yr old .260 hitter. How far away is this from what Sox fans were talking about 24 hrs ago? The Sox were absolutely crushed on this deal. Wait and see how this is discussed and my opinions all along will be validated. They absolutely fucked this up every way it could be fucked up and they end up with next to nothing for Jon Lester. This is absolutely shocking

 

[element1286]

They have the best offense in MLB. Losing Yoni's bat won't kill the lineup.

And last I checked, pitching wins WS titles.

According to wRC+ they don't have the best offense, but they have scored the most runs, so fair enough.

Point being, they traded a player they do not have a replacement for, and are now worse off on offense. That fits into 'creating a hole to fill a hole'

 

[WhiteMamba]

.256 17hr 67rbi

He was Oakland's 3rd best hitter. Baseballs best offense lost a great 5 tool player and it sucks now.

Now Vogt, Norris, and Jaso can be in the lineup daily.

But if you don't get this trade you don't get Oakland or BB.

If WS trophy # 5 is brought to Oakland it is worth it. Big if.

Let's enjoy the ride fellas...

 

[WhiteMamba]

According to wRC+ they don't have the best offense, but they have scored the most runs, so fair enough.

Point being, they traded a player they do not have a replacement for, and are now worse off on offense. That fits into 'creating a hole to fill a hole'

Well, maybe. But not as drastic as you may think. We freed up a spot in the lineup so Vogt, Jaso, and Norris get more ABs.

 

[redseat]

If the A's don't win the World Series or even get to the WS will A's fans be calling for BB's head?

 

[BF4L]

Lester said he is looking forward to spring training with the Red Sox next season.. His wife has roots here and he has already said he has no intentions of packing the family up and moving.

That said even if he does not come back to Boston he is a great pitcher and he handled the entire situation with so much class. Unlike other Sox players and contract talks.

 

[Loneranger]

If the A's don't win the World Series or even get to the WS will A's fans be calling for BB's head?

not a chance. What he's done is incredible and he should be arrested for this deal alone.

 

[steveringo]

all good here , agreed. Most important is what you pointed out : no hometown discount and no one is happier about this than the Yankees. This deal guarantees Lester hits the open market and the Yanks will be all in on this guy you can guarantee it. 2nd and just as important : the Sox just gave away Jon Lester for a 29 yr old .260 hitter. How far away is this from what Sox fans were talking about 24 hrs ago? The Sox were absolutely crushed on this deal. Wait and see how this is discussed and my opinions all along will be validated. They absolutely fucked this up every way it could be fucked up and they end up with next to nothing for Jon Lester. This is absolutely shocking

For a two month rental - Boston got much more than I excpected... I was thingkint they'd get a AAA slugger...

Here is Cespedes spray chart:
Yoenis Cespedes » Spray Charts » Batted Ball | FanGraphs Baseball

Picture that at Fenway Park....

 

[Loneranger]

Lester said he is looking forward to spring training with the Red Sox next season.. His wife has roots here and he has already said he has no intentions of packing the family up and moving.

That said Even if he does not come back to Boston he is a great pitcher and he handled the entire situation with so much more class. Unlike other Sox players and contract talks.

don't believe a word of it. As I said yesterday Lester handled this whole thing from spring training till now better than anyone we've seen. He was in charge the whole time by doing and saying nothing. Sox fans are absolutely nuts if you guys think he has even a 25% chance of coming back. He's gone right now and anything can happen and will happen.

 

[element1286]

Well, maybe. But not as drastic as you may think. We freed up a spot in the lineup so Vogt, Jaso, and Norris get more ABs.

Would have made much more sense to trade one of those guys, considering they are all technically catchers. That's the position they had a glut of.

 

[Loneranger]

For a two month rental - Boston got much more than I excpected... I was thingkint they'd get a AAA slugger...

Here is Cespedes spray chart:
Yoenis Cespedes » Spray Charts » Batted Ball | FanGraphs Baseball

Picture that at Fenway Park....

I have to disagree on this one. We both know just yesterday there were all kinds of opinions thrown around about all the prospects etc the Sox were gonna get for Lester. This deal is so far away from what everyone , including the experts , were discussing it isn't even funny. I knew I was right about what I've been saying as far as the Sox boxing themselves into a corner but I had no idea they were in THIS bad a shape. I think if Sox fans want to be honest about this they will admit the powers that be in Boston got absolutely fuckin robbed here. It's impossible to imagine a deal involving Lester that's as one sided as this. It's positively shocking

 

[BF4L]

don't believe a word of it. As I said yesterday Lester handled this whole thing from spring training till now better than anyone we've seen. He was in charge the whole time by doing and saying nothing. Sox fans are absolutely nuts if you guys think he has even a 25% chance of coming back. He's gone right now and anything can happen and will happen.

Well HE said it numerous times so you are asking me to not believe what he said and believe what you say instead??

Anyways I wish him nothing but the best if he comes back or not. Not going to debate it.

 

[steveringo]

don't believe a word of it. As I said yesterday Lester handled this whole thing from spring training till now better than anyone we've seen. He was in charge the whole time by doing and saying nothing. Sox fans are absolutely nuts if you guys think he has even a 25% chance of coming back. He's gone right now and anything can happen and will happen.

I'd put his return at less than 25% - but not at 0%.

The only chance would be if Boston makes him a comparable offer this winter. That is the only thing driving the odds....

 

[WhiteMamba]

Would have made much more sense to trade one of those guys, considering they are all technically catchers. That's the position they had a glut of.

I thought that was the route they would go. Although Jaso and Vogt can play of also. Especially Vogt.

 

[Loneranger]

Well HE said it numerous times so you are asking me to not believe what he said and believe what you say instead??

Anyways I wish him nothing but the best if he comes back or not. Not going to debate it.

he hinted at it a while ago and he was only playing the game like a freakin pro. If he wanted to stay in Boston he would be there now. They tried to negotiate all season and he wouldn't even respond so you tell me how anxious he is to come back to Boston. He completely ignored them and that speaks louder than anything. I don't believe there is any chance at all he comes back , it makes no sense. He had all kinds of opportunities in the last couple months/weeks to make it happen and he wouldn't even sit at the table. That's all Sox fans need to know