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 The pair of aces could lead to an epic collision in the AL
Championship Series between West-leading Oakland, who have a Major
League Baseball-best record of 66-41, and the Central's Tigers
(58-47), who own the biggest division lead in the majors.
Oakland swapped some power to add another dynamic arm to their
rotation as they sent All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Red
Sox for Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Lester (10-7, 2.52 ERA) joins a rotation that boasts Sonny Gray,
Scott Kazmir and Jeff Samardzija, acquired in an earlier blockbuster
with the Cubs, as cost-conscious general manager of the small market
A's, Billy Beane, moved his chips all-in for a run at the World
Series.
Detroit, Fall Classic runners-up in 2012 and 2006, found the price
was right to obtain Price (11-8, 3.11 ERA) in a three-way deal that
included the Seattle Mariners.
"wow...what a day!! Rays fans THANK YOU!! Great Chapter of my life
just ended...ready to start a new one with the Tigers!! Thanks
again" Price said on Twitter.
In adding Price to a stellar starting group including Max Scherzer,
Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez, the Tigers sent lefty Drew
Smyly to the Rays and outfielder Austin Jackson to the Mariners, who
shipped infielder Nick Franklin to Tampa Bay.
Boston were busy at the trade deadline after falling flat in 2014
following their rousing World Series triumph last year.
The Red Sox, last in the AL East with a 48-60 mark, sent another
quality pitcher to a contender in dealing John Lackey (11-7, 3.60)
to the St. Louis Cardinals (56-50), who are third in the NL Central,
2 1/2 games behind the leading Brewers.
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In return, the Red Sox received first baseman/outfielder Allen
Craig and pitcher Joe Kelly.
Lefty reliever Andrew Miller, 3-5 with an outstanding ERA of 2.34
with 69 strikeouts in 42.1 innings, was sent by Boston to division
foes Baltimore for promising pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez.
Boston even traded with arch-rivals the New York Yankees. In a swap
of disappointing infielders, the Red Sox sent away shortstop Stephen
Drew for New York's Kelly Johnson.
The Yankees added another infielder by getting Martin Prado from
Arizona for minor league catching prospect Peter O'Brien.
NL East-leading Washington Nationals (58-47) shored up their infield
by obtaining shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera from Cleveland for young
infielder Zach Walters.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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reserved.]
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