OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have won the Jon Lester sweepstakes, acquiring the left-hander and outfielder Jonny Gomes from the Boston Red Sox for slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (yoh-EHN’-ehs SEHS’-peh-dehs) before today’s trade deadline.
Oakland, with the best record in baseball at 66-41, also received cash from Boston in another blockbuster deal by A’s general manager Billy Beane. The Red Sox also get a draft pick in a deal confirmed by both teams.
A few hours later, the Red Sox traded their No. 2 starter, right-hander John Lackey, to the St. Louis Cardinals for right-hander Joe Kelly and outfielder Allen Craig, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither club announced that trade.
Lester is having an outstanding season with a 10-7 record and career-best 2.52 ERA in 21 starts. He’s allowed seven earned runs in his last eight games with 54 strikeouts and nine walks. But the Red Sox put him on the trading block because he can become a free agent after the season.
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