Lester Traded

[sandman0838]

Not totally confirmed yet but...

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Lester and Gomes to #Athletics for Cespedes, per @alexspeier.

[sandman0838]

It's been confirmed, minus a official announcement.

[Can_of_corn]

If true, the A's are going to the WS. Cespedes was a good get for the Red Sox though.

Because favorites have never lost a short series right Roy?

Lester moves the needle a lot less for Oakland then he would for the O's or the Pirates.

[Can_of_corn]

Hey, just my opinion.Thats not a knock on us.Its Lester, Gray,Samardzija in a short series.Pretty damn good IMO.

Sure it is. Of course Oakland also just downgraded it's offense and outfield defense.

[backwardsk]

Sure it is. Of course Oakland also just downgraded it's offense and outfield defense.

What are they going to do about LF? Are they going to trot Gomes out there everyday? Billy Burns?

[Moshagge3]

The Phillies had the supposed super-rotation of Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Oswalt and they didn't go to the World Series, but still a good pickup for Oakland, especially with Hammel getting knocked around in the AL. I'm not sure what the Red Sox are thinking, though. Cespedes has a lot of pop but very low OBP.

[Can_of_corn]

BTW Red Sox are also getting Oakland's competitive balance pick.

[Can_of_corn]

What are they going to do about LF? Are they going to trot Gomes out there everyday? Billy Burns?

[Lester Freamon]

Hey, just my opinion.Thats not a knock on us.Its Lester, Gray,Samardzija in a short series.Pretty damn good IMO.

Actually Roy you forgot Kazmir. He's at the top of that rotation right now. Kazmir, Lester, Gray, Samardzija.

Are there any concerns about Gray slowing down/tiring out in September/October due to innings?

Yes they are the favorites, they already were.

Also, surprised Tommy Milone wasn't part of this deal. I wonder if the A's can use him in an effort to add offense??

[backwardsk]

Actually Roy you forgot Kazmir. He's at the top of that rotation right now. Kazmir, Lester, Gray, Samardzija.

Are there any concerns about Gray slowing down/tiring out in September/October due to innings?

Yes they are the favorites, they already were.

Also, surprised Tommy Milone wasn't part of this deal. I wonder if the A's can use him in an effort to add offense??

Hell, they'll probably send him back down to control his arbitration costs like they did Milone. Maybe Lester will be as bad as Hammel.

[Stotle]

Actually Roy you forgot Kazmir. He's at the top of that rotation right now. Kazmir, Lester, Gray, Samardzija.

Are there any concerns about Gray slowing down/tiring out in September/October due to innings?

Yes they are the favorites, they already were.

Also, surprised Tommy Milone wasn't part of this deal. I wonder if the A's can use him in an effort to add offense??

No way, re: Gray. He's a horse.

[Lester Freamon]

No way, re: Gray. He's a horse.

Thanks for the response, I was afraid of that.

[Stotle]

Thanks for the response, I was afraid of that.

Going back four years, started Vandy season in February and was still mid-90s with hammer at the end of July. Pitched through early October last year and was nails in Game 5 opposite Verlander.

[Lester Freamon]

Actually Roy you forgot Kazmir. He's at the top of that rotation right now. Kazmir, Lester, Gray, Samardzija.

Are there any concerns about Gray slowing down/tiring out in September/October due to innings?

Yes they are the favorites, they already were.

Also, surprised Tommy Milone wasn't part of this deal. I wonder if the A's can use him in an effort to add offense??

Apparently Milone has just been traded to the Twins. Return unknown at this point. Stay tuned...

[Can_of_corn]

Apparently Milone has just been traded to the Twins. Return unknown at this point. Stay tuned...

All in Oakland.