Red Sox trade Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes to A’s for Yoenis Cespedes

The Dodgers will have to look elsewhere if they want to acquire a starting pitcher, because the Boston Red Sox sent left-handed pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance pick in 2015, according to USA Today Sports.

The Dodgers were considered by some to be the top candidate to land Lester, with many expecting Matt Kemp to be involved in the deal.

Lester, who is a free agent after the season, was 10-7 with a 2.52 ERA for the Red Sox this season. Gomes is hitting .234 with six homers and 32 RBIS.

To land Lester, 30, the A’s had to give up one of their most exciting players in Cespedes, winner of the last two All-Star game home run derby competitions. Cespedes, 28, is hitting .256 with 17 homers and 67 RBIs this season, only his third season in the majors.

Lester was a key member of Boston’s World Series title teams in 2007 and 2013 and has been one of the most effective postseason pitchers in recent history, going 6-4 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 starts, including 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA in three World Series starts.