Trading Jon Lester (news and speculation thread)

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DJnVa

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If it's the A's the Sox must REALLY like someone they have, because otherwise I'm shocked this didn't drag out til 4.
 

Rovin Romine

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drleather2001 said:
The overall circumstances of the Nomar trade made it far, far, more polarizing to the fan base.  
 
Not only was he still a fan favorite (though some of the shine had come off in the previous 2 years), but the Red Sox were A) coming off of a heartbreaking 2003; and B) were perceived to still be in the running for the AL East with the Yankees.  It was inconceivable to a large percentage of the fanbase that trading away the team's third best hitter (in an era of Slugging Uber Alles) for light-hitting, defensive specialists at SS and 1B was somehow improving the team.   People thought that the ownership group had gone fucking batshit, and the Red Sox were scuttling a chance at the playoffs in the middle of the season just to spite Nomar.
 
Yankees fans are "shocked" that the Red Sox are trading Lester?  In 2004, Yankees fans were openly mocking Red Sox fans for the team trading away Nomar.  "We would NEVER trade away Jeter!  Your team will ALWAYS SUCK, and this is why!"  
 
There's no comparison.  Maybe the result of 2004 is clouding people's memory, but August 1, 2004 was a really dark and strange time for Red Sox fans.    August 1, 2014 is just merely the sad aspect of doing business.
 
EDIT: people were calling for Theo's job after the Nomar trade (and if the Sox had lost in the playoffs again, he might have lost it). 
 
Well said.  I remember for about a week after that, I'd be doing something totally unrelated and just randomly think, "WTF - I can't believe they traded Nomar for nothing."  It really did seem like another gut-shot after 2003.  I understood Nomar was being a pain in the ass to some degree, but he was Nomar, and there was no way we'd win a WS without him.  
 
In some ways it was far worse, as the Sox still seemingly in contention in 2004, plus we were facing the impending free agencies of Pedro and Lowe.
 

johnnywayback

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rodderick said:
 
Yeah, this is what I'm concerned about. Kinda strage if they traded him to Oakland right now, their system is pretty barren.
 
There's Matt Olson, I guess.  We could get Raul Alcantara back.  They have an infielder at AA named Max Muncy who's supposed to be a Sox-type (patient approach, college success, etc.).
 
EDIT: Or Cespedes.  Huh.
 

wibi

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All you haters who didnt trust Ben and the FO please line up for your pink hats
 

P'tucket rhymes with...

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catomatic said:
If the Red Sox brain trust watched 35 year-old Mark Buehrle and his 11 win, 3.11 ERA beating their team handily last night—what did they make of that? Did they say "14M (or its market equivalent) for that production is something we'll be able to find in a LH whenever we have the need for it."? Do they remember trying to patch together FA/Callup rotations with the Matt Clements and the Kyle Snyders of the world? What convinces them so resoundingly that the hypothetical bird in the bush is so much more cost efficient than the one in their hand that they are setting themselves up for such a huge PR hit? Medicals? I doubt it. Intention to resign him? I doubt it. If they wanted to pay the freight they've had many months in which to do it. He's gone in my opinion, but I'm really searching for answers. I might need a Frontline special with Will Lyman's voice breaking this down for me when all is said and done.  
Probably.  Mark Buehrle has been an utterly ordinary-to-slightly-below average starter for about five years now.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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cherno said:
Why would the A's do that?!?
To win the world series with their budget? They will never have a better chance than right here, right now. Moneyball only gets you so far. Maybe Billy is ready to take his shot at crossing the finish line. Adding Lester gives them the best rotation in baseball.
 

cherno

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DennyDoyle'sBoil said:
To win the world series with their budget? They will never have a better chance than right here, right now. Moneyball only gets you so far. Maybe Billy is ready to take his shot at crossing the finish line. Adding Lester gives them the best rotation in baseball.
Don't get me wrong, I HOPE its true . . . I'm in shock. Just never imagined we could get a player like Cespedes for Lester+.
 
God, I hope this is true.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Jaylach said:
If Cespedes is actually coming back,  :fap:
Sox have to be putting something else in the mix if that's the deal, right?

Also, I love the As because they are the one possible suitor for Lester that can't possibly sign him, and so hope for a return stays alive. Also makes it easy to pick a team for this years' playoffs.
 

Alcohol&Overcalls

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cherno said:
Don't get me wrong, I HOPE its true . . . I'm in shock. Just never imagined we could get a player like Cespedes for Lester+.
 
God, I hope this is true.
 
A .310 OBP 28yo outfielder making a lot of money?

I like the return, but it's not outlandish - in a way, it makes the most sense for both parties. The Sox get a name to chill fan outrage, plus leverage payroll, while Oakland makes their run and can fill most of the production with Gomes/platoon. 
 

jimbobim

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http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120213&content_id=26674580&c_id=mlb&vkey=news_mlb
 
 
The 26-year-old outfielder is set to make $36 million during that time, MLB.com confirmed.
The deal, which won't be officially announced by the A's until Cespedes has taken a physical, precludes Oakland from offering him arbitration, meaning the outfielder will automatically become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
 
Don't really care. If he abuses the wall like I think he can it'll be match made in heaven. 
 

cherno

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Alcohol&Overcalls said:
 
A .310 OBP 28yo outfielder making a lot of money?

I like the return, but it's not outlandish - in a way, it makes the most sense for both parties. The Sox get a name to chill fan outrage, plus leverage payroll, while Oakland makes their run and can fill most of the production with Gomes/platoon. 
  
You're right. I just reviewed his stat line, and was a surprised it wasn't better. It makes sense.
 
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