Red Sox Swing For Fences In Trading Jon Lester For As Yoenis Cespedes

The Red Sox traded pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday in exchange for power-hitting outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The deal reflects Bostons stated desire to contend in 2015 while also signifying the Red Soxs unwillingness to potentially watch their ace depart for merely draft pick compensation.

The addition of Cespedes represents an attempt to fill Bostons most glaring need. The Red Sox lack a middle-of-the-order presence, as well as organizational outfield depth, and Cespedes has the potential to immediately become a valuable right-handed complement to David Ortiz.

The 28-year-old totaled 49 home runs between 2012 and 2013 his first two seasons in Oakland after defecting from Cuba and has slugged 17 homers in 101 games this season despite calling the extremely pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum his home. Its reasonable to expect Cespedes power numbers he owns a career .788 OPS in 365 games to increase now that hell be playing at Fenway Park on a regular basis.

Playing left field at Fenway doesnt require a cannon, but Cespedes has one, anyway. Hes tied with Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. for the most outfield assists in Major League Baseball this season with 12. Baserunners will want to think twice about taking an extra bag against Bostons outfield, especially if Shane Victorino remains healthy and complements the duo in right field.

Another interesting aspect of Thursdays blockbuster is that the Red Sox received a competitive balance draft pick the second pick in Comp Round B in addition to Cespedes. While the pick is slightly later than the one the Red Sox would have received this offseason as compensation if they kept Lester for the remainder of 2014 and the lefty signed elsewhere in free agency, the draft picks inclusion at least guarantees that Boston stands to net a long-term asset. In other words, the Red Sox really werent forced to decide internally whether theyd be better off obtaining Cespedes or the draft pick this offseason if Lester walked because they secured both pieces Thursday.

This is of particular importance because Cespedes, who signed a four-year, $36 million contract with Oakland before the 2012 season, is set to become a free agent after the 2015 season. He also has a clause in his contract that, in short, prevents him from being subjected to a qualifying offer in turn eliminating the possibility of the Red Sox (or whoever his current club is at the time) receiving draft pick compensation if he leaves via free agency. While its likely the Red Sox will explore a possible extension with Cespedes, Boston can rest assured knowing that it solidified a draft pick regardless of whatever happens.

But lets not get too far ahead of ourselves. Surely, this move was made with 2015 in mind and under the presumption that there was a chance perhaps a very good one that Lester would not re-sign with Boston. The Red Sox wanted to acquire value while they could, and they evidently prioritized acquiring major league talent that can aid the teams win-now philosophy.

The ideal scenario for the Red Sox would be for Lester to re-sign with Boston in free agency this offseason something the pitcher hasnt ruled out and the club moving forward with its ace and some added offensive firepower. The chances of that happening, however, are unknown.

Of course, the Cespedes acquisition doesnt come without risk. Cespedes is a free-swinger not exactly conducive with Bostons offensive philosophy with a career .318 on-base percentage. And while theres reason to believe the right-handed-hitting slugger will pepper the Green Monster, its worth noting that his numbers actually are better at home (.278/.344/.494, 36 home runs, 184 games) than on the road (.248/.293/.447, 30 home runs, 181 games), suggesting that one shouldnt automatically assume leaving a pitchers paradise in Oakland will morph Cespedes into The Sultan of Swat.

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Red Sox Swing For Fences In Trading Jon Lester For As Yoenis Cespedes