This definitely qualifies as a blockbuster trade deadline deal, as the Red Sox have sent ace Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes to the Oakland A’s for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Final full trade: Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes and $ to Oakland for Yoenis Cespedes and the second pick in the competitive balance Comp B round.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2014
If you needed further proof that Oakland was going for it this year, here you go. With Lester essentially being a rental player for the final two months of the season, the A’s boast arguably the best rotation in the majors with Jeff Samardzija, Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, and the newly acquired Lester. Cespedes will become a free agent following the 2015 season.