What is the fantasy impact of the Jon Lester trade?

Earlier today, the Boston Red Sox traded ace Jon Lester along with Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and their 2015 “competitive balance” draft pick.

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This comes right after the Red Sox had tried to sign Lester to a contract extension, but to no avail.

Of all of the deadline deals, this is the one that will likely have the most fantasy repercussions.  All of the players changing hands are established major leaguers.

The 30 year old Lester is having the best season of his career.  He is 10-7 with a very nice 2.52 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 143 innings pitched.  The move from Fenway Park, one of the smaller ones in the league to O.co Coliseum should only help his value.  Lester is a high-upside trade target right now, as his numbers should improve being in a bigger park and out of the AL East.

Jonny Gomes’ value likely won’t change much.  The A’s have plenty of talent in the outfield even with Cespedes gone.  They have Coco Crisp entrenched in center, and Josh Reddick in right field.  Gomes will likely platoon with Stephen Vogt in left field.

Honey, I’m home! The Jonny Gomes show is back in Oakland. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The 33 year old Gomes is hitting just .234 with six homers on the season, but he enjoyed some success with the A’s in 2012, hitting 18 homers in 99 games.  He will be asked to replace the power they lost with Cespedes.  The most glaring thing the A’s will miss is his defense in left field.

Gomes’ fantasy value likely will not change.  Those of you who own him in deep leagues know the frustration of him sitting at least three times a week.  He does have a little bit more upside going back home to Oakland, but before you spring to grab him, keep in mind that he will sit as much as he starts.

The most intriguing piece of this is Cespedes going to Boston.  He will take over every day in left field which likely means Brock Holt will move to third base, and Xander Bogaerts will be back home at shortstop.  The loser in all of this could be Daniel Nava, who was platooning with Gomes in the outfield.

Cespedes’ right handed power seems tailor made for Boston.  He probably has more value with the Sox, and I would target him in trades if you need power.  His numbers should increase in the cozy confines of Fenway Park.

Stay tuned to FantasyCPR today and tomorrow as I will have the fantasy impacts of all of the deadline deals!