Lester/Gomes to the A's

[Palodios]

This seems exactly the kind of trade I was hoping for, although not the target I had in mind. The Red Sox traded for a player who may be a solid #5 bat, will appease the fans this year, and atleast give the team a year of a controlled player. His BABIP has been a bit low the last two years, and Fenway may also improve his numbers.

Its a shame that they weren't able to get someone like a Taveras/Walker/Bundy, but they kept Lester out of the division, and out of the hands of a team who might re-sign him.

Cespedes is a hack defensively ( although his speed and arm make up for some of his questionable play in lf ).

Not exactly. The numbers seem to say he is a very good left fielder, but has been very mediocre in CF. With his arm, he may play well in RF for the Red Sox, although his range may be a concern, we'll see.

[a700hitter]

In the short run, I guess that they have to put Cespedes in RF. His arm in LF would be a total waste. That would probably slide Victorino to CF putting Bradley on the bench. At least that is a positive aspect of the trade.

[Dojji]

This is exatly the kind of trade you don't make when you're a losing team, I'm sorry. Cherington must be convinced that we've gotten very unlucky and are by rights a 90 win team next year if everything worked out normally (not even particualrly well, just normal luck).

He's trying not just to win, but win the World Series, next year. he's literally trying to set up a World Series winner from this pool of players and whatever he thinks he can sign in the offseason. I'd be laughing if I didn't feel quite so much like crying. It's one thing to put up a good front for the fans but the GM needs to not be drinking the koolaid along with everyone else.

He needed to stockpile prospects, not pick up one guy who's gone after next year. You're gambling that Cespedes dominates this year and next and you can trade him at a profit, but what you traded for him is not going to resemble what you get back for less than half a year of him next season. You're certainly not going to get a 31 year old ace for him. And if you're getting that level of production out of Cespedes we're probably in a wild card slot and do you sell him at all at this point.

I just don't see any situation in which someone would take a Cespedes for their version of Jon Lester. That's what tells me that this trade is beyond bad.

[BigPapi]

Fenway improves double numbers. However, it is not very hr friendly. It has only favored the batter once in the last ten years. And our last two big power acquisitions ( adrian gonzalez and mike napoli) have both seen their hr numbers decline when coming here.

[Spudboy]

In the short run, I guess that they have to put Cespedes in RF. His arm in LF would be a total waste. That would probably slide Victorino to CF putting Bradley on the bench. At least that is a positive aspect of the trade.

Do you really believe that the Sox are thinking this? Make those moves just because of his arm?

[Dojji]

Fenway improves double numbers. However, it is not very hr friendly. It has only favored the hitters once in the last ten years.

Exactly. Fenway is for hitters-for-average. guys with good plate approaches who can hit the ball on a line to all fields. Power hitters, especially righthanded ones, tend to have home runs turned into doubles against that wall. Ortiz thrives here because he knows how to make high quality contact, if you're hoping to just run into one occasionally, Fenway isn't for you.

[BigPapi]

Exactly. Fenway is for hitters-for-average. guys with good plate approaches who can hit the ball on a line to all fields. Power hitters, especially righthanded ones, tend to have home runs turned into doubles against that wall. Ortiz thrives here because he knows how to make high quality contact, if you're hoping to just run into one occasionally, Fenway isn't for you.

Spot on.

[MJantomaso]

Come on guys, he won back to back HR Derbies!

[Palodios]

Oakland has some of the biggest foul ball territory in baseball. His batting average is sure to go up.

[BigPapi]

Oakland has some of the biggest foul ball territory in baseball. His batting average is sure to go up.

That is true

[Spudboy]

Oakland has some of the biggest foul ball territory in baseball. His batting average is sure to go up.

Maybe a spray chart could substantiate this idea. How many times did Cespedes foul out in Oakland?

His approach is what will dictate his BA most likely.

[Spudboy]

That is true

Not necessarily. It could be just wishful thinking.

No disrespect intended Pal.

[Palodios]

Not necessarily. It could be just wishful thinking.

No disrespect intended Pal.

This is what I see at Fangraphs. Plenty of outs to the right. Wonder where the Fenway border would be.

http://www.fangraphs.com/spraycharts...s1=ALL&vs2=ALL

[Dojji]

Keep trying Palodios, we do need some optimism around here.

[BOSOX11]

This trade sucks, just like this season.