Happy Trade Deadline Day: Boston Sends Jon Lester to Oakland for Yoenis Cespedes

For the last week, baseball fans have been waiting for today to arrive. With more impact players available this season than I can personally remember, it was only a matter of time before some GM for some team decided to press the detonator and blow everything up. And at 10:00 EST this morning, that is exactly what Billy Beane of the Oakland A's and Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox did. The Red Sox are sending Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes and an undisclosed amount of money to Oakland in exchange for Slugger Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance pick in next year's draft. Buckle up, everyone. Shit just got real.

John Lackey's Arm Blows Up, Again.

To say that John Lackey has been a huge disappointment since joining the Red Sox after the 2009 season, would be, well, I don't think calling it an understatement would actually do justice to just how underwhelming he has been since signing a five-year $82.5MM deal. He was very "meh" in 2010, then proceeded to have the worst season for a Red Sox pitcher ever in 2011 (minimum 140 IP). He got tons of bad press when he filed divorce from his wife after the 2011 season while she was battling breast cancer. Then he missed all of the 2012 season after having Tommy John surgery. I could go on, but I really don't need to.

Interview With a GM, Kind Of

A couple of weeks ago, news hit the interwebs (as well as some papers, as if anyone actually reads those things anymore) about Bobby Valentine calling out David Ortiz for quitting on the team down the stretch because of pain in his heel. One of Bobby's supporters coming into September was Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington.

A couple of weeks ago (yes I am a procrastinator, why do you ask?) I asked our special guest if he would be willing to chat with me about the Red Sox 2012, Bobby vs. Oritz and clam chowder. Since I bring a pleasant mix of......something, he happily agreed and gave me insight that only a GM's brain could supply. GM Cherington, you are now on the clock.