The Boston Red Sox have gotten rid of two starting pitchers as the MLB trade deadline approaches at 4 pm ET Thursday.
Both John Lackey and Jon Lester were considered trade candidates in recent weeks and both have been moved for outfield help.
The Red Sox traded Lackey and outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The Red Sox will also receive the Athletic’s competitive balance pick in the 2015 draft.
They were not done though. The Red Sox also traded away Lackey to the St. Louis Cardinals getting outfielder Allen Craig and pitcher Joe Kelly in return.
While Lester will become a free agent at the end of the season, Lackey has just a $500,000 club option for 2015 based on his Tommy John surgery in 2012.
