Red Sox Trade Lester, Lackey, Gomes, Miller, Drew on Busy Deadline Day

Boston received a mix of prospects and major league players in return

Fans might not recognize the team on the field at Fenway Friday night against the Yankees, but after Thursday's fire sale, their teammates might not, either.

"A little shocked," Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz said.

On the night of the Red Sox fire sale, Clay Buchholz is the only starting pitcher left from the 2013 World Series winner or from the five-man rotation back in April.

With 80 percent gone, it can be viewed as a 7-10 split left standing at the second annual Buchholz Bowl event at Lucky Strike, which was raising money for kids in need.

Buchholz says he knows this Sox team will not be the same.

"Well, it's a little different but that's the business side of baseball and hopefully they can move on and help another team reach the playoffs and win another World Series," Buchholz said.

Most of the Sox players who showed up, didn't want to talk about the drastic changes to this team that is 12 games under .500 and 13 games out of first.

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. will have to look to his right and his left for introductions in the outfield.

"We're always going to miss teammates. Those guys are no exception. We'll miss everybody who has played with us," Bradley said.

The house may have been cleaned, but reliever Craig Breslow says the cupboard is not bare. Pulling off this many deals in a short amount of time is typically not done.

"Especially when it seems like you've become accustomed to hearing rumors and then nothing actually plays out. You have to credit the front office with keeping an eye on the bigger picture, feeling like they had some needs to address and having the nerve to do it," he said.

As for Buchholz, who by his own admission has had a down year, the pressure will be on to anchor the staff, especially with Lester and Lackey gone.

"As far as the numbers go, haven't gone the way I've wanted it to this season yet, but if I have 10, 11, 12 starts left, I'm going to go out there and treat it like it's just another game and try to do the best I can and help the team win," Buchholz said.

The Yankees come to town Friday with a new piece from the Sox, Stephen Drew. It's the first time the teams have made a trade since 1997. Expect the sale of programs and scorecards to be brisk.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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