Thursday Links: Deadline shopping

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.net

The Toronto Blue Jays completed their 3 game sweep of the Red Sox on Wednesday night, winning by a final score of 6-1. Brandon Workman got the start for Boston in place of Jon Lester, while the veteran right-hander Mark Buehrle toed the rubber for the Blue Jays. For the third time in as many games Toronto opened the scoring in the early innings, as Dioner Navarro collected an RBI single, and Juan Fransisco followed with a run scoring fielders choice. In the 5th inning, just when it seemed like Workman had settled in, a costly error and two RBI singles lead to a 3-run inning for the Blue Jays. Down by 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th, Christian Vazquez provided the only offense of the night for the Red Sox with an RBI ground-ruled double. Toronto went on to add another run to their total in the 6th inning against Craig Breslow. Aside from Breslow, the Red Sox bullpen held the Jays offense in check for the rest of the game, including a stellar inning from Andrew Miller, and a 9 pitch frame by Koji Uehara. However, the Red Sox couldn’t muster a comeback, and he Sox were swept at Fenway.

• After exiting Wednesday’s game early, it appears that Shane Victorino will avoid a trip to the disabled list. The Red Sox cause for concern came after the right fielder pulled up lame when running to first base. Victorino was taken out of the game because the Red Sox staff wanted to make sure that he didn’t re-aggravate his ailing hamstring. (Shane Victorino’s exit “totally precautionary”)

• While it wasn’t the highly anticipated Jon Lester trade that everyone is bracing themselves for, the Red Sox did pull of a significant transaction on Wednesday. Boston sent left-handed pitcher Felix Doubront to the Chicago Cubs, in exchange for a player to be named later. After the southpaw was demoted to the bullpen about a month ago, Doubront basically begged to be traded, so this move didn’t come as a surprise. (Red Sox trade Felix Doubront to Cubs for player to be named)

• Whether a team is winning or losing, the trade deadline is always a stressful point of the season. With multiple players rumored to be on the move, the Red Sox know that the trade deadline could drastically change the complexion of the entire roster. (Uncertainty, unease permeate clubhouse)

• Jon Lester isn’t the only Red Sox starter who could find himself on a new team to finish the 2014 season. In addition to Lester, Boston is also rumored to be shopping the services of right-hander, John Lackey. Of course, Lackey isn’t the ace pitcher that Lester is, but he does have a year of control left on his contract, while Lester is purely a rental. (End near for Jon Lester, John Lackey at trade deadline?)

• While he’s got off to an extremely bad start at the plate, Stephen Drew’s bat is slowly but surely coming around, which could spell good news for his trade value. However, unlike his fellow teammate destine for a trade, Drew doesn’t need to be rushed out the door at 4 pm, Thursday. Instead, his salary will allow him to pass through the August waiver-wire, after which he can be dealt to any team. (Trading Stephen Drew makes sense for Red Sox, and he’s got plenty to offer)

• Tweet of the day: Our last laugh with Jon Lester? …Come to think of it, it might actually be our first laugh with Jon Lester…