Trade deadline day: This had better be Oakland’s year

The Oakland Athletics are certainly making all the moves to build a powerhouse playoff rotation this year, aren’t they?

Not content with picking up Jeff Samardzjia (and Jason Hammel) from the Cubs to go along with Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, Oakland has reportedly sent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox for Jon Lester (and Jonny Gomes.)

I’m pretty sure this will be the biggest “star power” deal of the day, but I agree with Fangraphs’ Dave Cameron that it will have far less of an impact for Oakland than the earlier Samardzjia trade.

Boston got the best possible return they could imagine for Lester, considering he’s a two month rental. And who knows, maybe they aren’t teasing their fan base – maybe they really will re-sign him during the off-season. (We can all be sure Lester won’t be staying in Oakland after October.)

Meanwhile, Baltimore is said to be interested in Bartolo Colon and Washington has reportedly inquired about Daniel Murphy. I expect both will still be Mets after 4 p.m. today, but you never know what might happen.