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Top 10 MLB Trade Deadline day deals since 2001

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Red Sox trade Jon lester to A’s for Yoenis Cespedes

The Red Sox always seem to be wheeling and dealing near the trade deadline and last year was no exception as they sent their ace, Jon Lester, to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for the reigning Home Run Derby champ, Yoenis Cespedes.

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    • Lester was set to see his contract expire in the offseason so the Red Sox decided to send him packing, thinking they would have no shot at re-signing him, and got one of the best sluggers in the game.

    The Athletics were looking to build on playoff-caliber teams from the previous seasons and possibly keep Lester on board long-term, but that wasn’t the case as he pitched just 11 games for Oakland, posting a 2.35 ERA before becoming the league’s top free agent pitcher, besides maybe Max Scherzer, this past offseason.

    Oakland lost the bidding war and he was packing his bags once again, heading to Chicago’s north side.

    Cespedes, on the other hand, did provide a little punch while in Boston for 51 games, hitting five homers and 33 RBI with a .269 average. He was dealt prior to the 2015 season to the Detroit Tigers for starter Rick Porcello and that’s where he currently resides — unless he’s traded at the deadline.

    This deal turned out to be pretty even as no side was a clear winner.

    Next: 2. Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers

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