OAKLAND—The Oakland A’s have had a busy couple of days.
The A’s released right-handed pitcher Jim Johnson Friday. He was designated for assignment on July 24 after going 4-2 with a 7.14 ERA—one of the highest among MLB relievers. They also designated RHP Evan Scribner for assignment. He has allowed one run on three hits over four innings this year.
But the team really made headlines Thursday.
Oakland acquired Jon Lester, a three-time All-Star and starting pitcher, and outfielder/designated hitter Jonny Gomes—as well as cash considerations—from the Boston Red Sox Thursday. The A’s sent All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and their 2015 Competitive Balance Draft Pick to Boston in the deal.
Lester was a part of the Red Sox’s World Series championship teams in 2007 and 2013 and bring the second-best winning percentage among the American League active pitchers to Oakland. He has a career 110-63 record, 3.64 ERA through 242 games and 241 starts in nine MLB seasons. He boasts 1,386 career strikeouts—the most by a left-handed pitcher in Boston franchise history.
Lester has a 10-7 record this season with a 2.52 ERA in 21 games. He’s a three-time AL All-Star—2010, 2011, 2014.
Gomes is returning to the Athletics for the second time. He played for Oakland in 2012, helping them to an AL West championship. He is an 11-year MLB veteran with a .244 career hitting average—147 doubles, 14 triples, 155 homeruns and 495 RBIs through 1,074 games. He’s currently battling .234 with six homers, 32 RBIs and 26 walks in 78 games.
Cespedes is a 2014 AL All-Star and was batting .256 for Oakland this season. He spent the past three seasons here.
