Russell for Samardzija was a highly defensible trade that I think we won. Especially when you look at what we got back for him from the White Sox (a potential C, SS and SP of the future), for a prospect that is doing OK in the majors and half a season of pretty incredible pitching.

Cespedes was and is highly overrated. A couple of highlight reel plays managed to overshadow a huge strikeout problem, low power numbers and disastrous fielding. Obviously Lester didn't work out like it could've, but just change one play in the wild card game and the A's are in the ALDS and maybe have a trophy. As A's fans we're used to getting the short end of the stick from lady luck, but I'm certain the second half of the season would have been worse with Cespedes. Shit happens.

The Donaldson trade is too early to call for at least a couple more years. He's obviously having a great season, but he's aging and may lose his value very quickly. Also, we got a pretty insane load of prospects in return that looks really promising. Kendall Graveman looks like a potential front end of the rotation guy, Brett Lawrie is young and improving, and Franklin Barreto looks like the jewel of that trade, and he's crushing the minors.

I think all three were calculated risks. The Samardzija deal wasn't necessarily great until you look at what the Sox gave us for him, and from that perspective it's a slam dunk. The Lester trade was a swap of two pretty equally disappointing assets, but I'm just glad we flipped Cespedes for anything. I hated him. And, like I said, due to the fact that we will have to see how the other half of the Donaldson deal pans out, the jury will remain out on it for at least two years.