Blue Jays Quiet: AL East Trade Deadline Recap

Jul 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox

– SP Felix Doubront traded to Chicago Cubs for a Player to be Named Later

– SP Jon Lester and OF Jonny Gomes traded to Oakland Athletics for OF Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance draft choice

– SP John Lackey, SP Corey Littrell, and cash traded to St. Louis Cardinals for OF/1B Allen Craig and SP Joe Kelly

– RP Andrew Miller traded to Baltimore Orioles for SP Eduardo Rodriguez

– SS Stephen Drew and cash to New York Yankees for 2B Kelly Johnson

Impact:  Over their years as buyers at the deadline, the Red Sox must have taken some great notes on how to sell.  Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Andrew Miller have all been key pieces to the Red Sox pitching, but their returns should make the deals easier to stomach.

In Cespedes and Craig, Boston acquires a current and former All-Star that will bolster their struggling lineup and re-awaken a sleeping outfield.  Yoenis Cespedes should have an absolute field day with the Green Monster, and could be David Ortiz‘s new Manny Ramirez if all goes as planned.

Along with a small prospect influx, including one of Baltimore’s top-5 in Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston’s Stephen Drew deal allows Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts to man the left side of the infield at Fenway.  The Red Sox will need to be extremely active in rebuilding their rotation this offseason, but the finances are certainly in place to add a strong staff to this improved batting order.