A's add Samardzija in blockbuster deal with Cubs
Hammel also going to Oakland; Russell, Straily, McKinney headed to Chicago
By Phil Rogers / MLB.com | 7/4/2014 11:29 P.M. ET
Trading season is opening with a blockbuster that strengthens the A's as favorites to win the American League and adds to the Cubs' inventory of outstanding position-player prospects.
MLB.com confirmed reports that the Cubs are trading right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland for a package of players headed by shortstop Addison Russell, who has advanced to Double-A at age 20 and is ranked No. 11 among MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects.
The Cubs also would receive right-hander Dan Straily and 19-year-old outfielder Billy McKinney.
Neither club has confirmed the trade that was first reported by FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Samardzija has been one of the National League's top starters this season, compiling a 2.83 ERA in 17 starts. He had only two wins, however, and the lack of support may have played a role in his recently declining the Cubs' efforts to extend his contract. He will be under the A's control through 2015 and it seems unlikely that they would be able to extend his contract, given their historically limited payrolls.
Hammel, signed to a one-year contract as a free agent, has been a revelation this season. He's 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA. He was the winning pitcher for the Cubs on Friday in Washington and complained afterward that manager Rick Renteria lifted him after only 92 pitches. The Cubs have paid close attention to pitch counts for both Samardzija and Hammel, anticipating the chance that they could deal them.
The acquisition of Russell is interesting as the Cubs are already deep in middle-infield prospects. Shortstop Javier Baez hit 37 homers between Class A Advanced and Double-A last season and is currently at Triple-A, playing alongside second baseman Arismendy Alcantara, who is pushing for a spot in the big leagues.
Russell has battled hamstring injuries this year. He was sidelined in Spring Training and then again after the second game of the season but recently was promoted to Double-A Midland, where he has hit .333 with a .939 OPS and three stolen bases in 13 games.
The Cubs may consider dealing Major League shortstop Starlin Castro, who is an All-Star candidate after hitting .290 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs. Along with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, he is the only Cubs player signed to a long-term contract, but the young infielders seem to make him expendable.
The emergence of right-hander Jake Arrieta may have made Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer more willing to deal Samardzija. But the Cubs still face long-term questions about building a supply of pitchers to work in front of the young lineups they will feature in upcoming seasons.
Phil Rogers is a columnist for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Wow. Got serious talent back. Russell is a legit stud of a prospect & McKinney is a very good one. I think of Straily as more than just a throw-in too. Had his problems this year but is only 25 & has shown real promise at the MLB level.
Lotta young SS talent in the organization now. Probably sets up a future deal. Baez or Reed to NYM for Syndergaard? That's just my own wild speculation, but I have to imagine they'll be looking for some sort of deal like that for a top pitching prospect (or could be Castro that gets moved, as the article suggests).
Regardless of what may happen in the future, right now the Cubs are absolutely loaded with position player prospects. Baez, Bryant, & Russell are all top 10 prospects on most lists (Baseball America's updated list is coming out next week). Guys like Alcantara, Almora, & Soler are top 50-100 prospects & CJ Edwards is too as a pitching prospect. The Cubs have a chance to really put something together as long as more of these guys pan out than not.
Also, total pimp move by Billy Beane. They need to get over the top and he got a couple of good starters. Taking Hammel off the market as well...wow. Lotta teams that weren't in on Samardzija or D. Price were looking at Hammel as a decent fallback option. Beane gave up big time prospects in this deal but he's going for it.
