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.

Edited July 31, 2014 by Dojji

[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. Edited July 31, 2014 by BigPapi

[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.aspx?playerid=13110&position=OF&type=battedball&pid2=13110&ss1=2014&se1=2014&ss2=2012&se2=2014&cht1=hangtime&cht2=battedball&vs1=ALL&vs2=ALL

[Dojji]

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

[BOSOX11]

This trade sucks, just like this season.

[d-money]

This trade sucks, just like this season.

 

That was straight to the point.lol.Just bring up ranaudo already.The guy is gonna be 25 soon.Cherington must be really high on him.

[Spudboy]

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.aspx?playerid=13110&position=OF&type=battedball&pid2=13110&ss1=2014&se1=2014&ss2=2012&se2=2014&cht1=hangtime&cht2=battedball&vs1=ALL&vs2=ALL

 

Looking at the spray chart I can see your point. It looks like about half of the fly balls that he fouls off to the right would be in the stands in Fenway.

 

I don't know how much that will translate into an increased BA or BABIP.

 

We'll see!

[Station 13]

Cepesdes is highly overrated. Terrible deal.

[Palodios]

Lackey to Cards for an OF. Could it be Taveras?

[sk7326]

Joe Kelly and Allen Craig for Lackey

[sk7326]

Lackey to Cards for an OF. Could it be Taveras?

 

Allen Craig, Joe Kelly

[jd98]

That was straight to the point.lol.Just bring up ranaudo already.The guy is gonna be 25 soon.Cherington must be really high on him.

 

Or just high. The Lester deal looks worse and worse as the day goes on. I'll post why I think so later when I'm less annoyed, and more is known about the Lackey trade. Not that anybody cares, but just to vent some.

[RedSoxNC84]

What the f***.

[d-money]

Management needs to lay off the bud

[jd98]

Joe Kelly sucks. He's managed a good ERA sometimes, but his peripherals are terrible, even in the minors. He'll get destroyed in Boston.

[jacksonianmarch]

This is a stupid move, IMO. Cespedes is an all or nothing hitter who is only under control through 2015, as he has a clause in his contract that he cannot be offered arbitration. He doesn't fit with the OBP mindset of the brass and he will likely only be here until the deadline next yr when he'll be dealt off again.

[dupree]

What if Boston now flips Cespedes and prospects to Miami for Stanton. With the pitching prospects they have it just may be able to get this deal finally done.

[Station 13]

We already have a Cepedes on our roster, his name is Will Middlebrooks. Do you trade your ace for 1 year of Middlebrooks?

[jacksonianmarch]

Why would the Marlins want Cespedes for Stanton? Cespedes is under control for less yrs than Stanton. That's dumb

[Station 13]

basically, Lester was traded to get the A's competitive balanced pick.