Smart people adapt. This is a pretty emphatic about face from the notion that the playoffs are just a crap shoot, and that once a GM gets his team there, his work for that year is done. Good for Beane. I hope he gets his ring and Lester another one.
Today also shows that capable executives find a way to get deals done. Oak, Bos, St Louis. They are not perfect deals, and they leave fans grousing, but these FOs don't sacrifice good for perfect.
My sense is a few other teams missed the boat on Lester and will regret it.