The Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs made a blockbuster trade on Friday night when most of the country was out celebrating the Fourth of July at their local fireworks shows.
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The cubs traded right-handed starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to to acquire the A’s top prospect, Addison Russell, who ranks among the top 10 prospects in baseball, according to Baseball Prospectus and Billy McKinney and Dan Straily.
You can make the argument that the two starters are the top trade chips this season, depending on what happens with former Cy Young award winner David Price, and they both ended up in Oakland where the A’s own the best record in baseball with a 53-33 mark.
Really impressive move done by the Oakland front office. Russell has a lot of upside but Jeff Samardzija has the attributes of an ace.
— Nick Hamelin (@NickHamelin) July 5, 2014
Cya Jeff samardzija and Jason hammel. It was nice while it lasted. #Cubs #traded #to #Athletics
— Joey (@browniesaloser) July 5, 2014
JEFF SAMARDZIJA AND JASON HAMMEL TO THE A'S.
— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) July 5, 2014
How in the world is this anything close to Money Ball???
Can't believe the A's landed Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel is absurd. They got the AL West on lockdown for the next 5 years
— Mike Cariffe (@MCariffe95) July 5, 2014
Finally Jeff Samardzija is going to be on a good team! He deserves it more than anyone else
— Ky (@KyleTH15) July 5, 2014
The Cubs got the A’s top two prospects and last two first round picks in Russell and McKinney and the A’s get two quality starters to complement Sonny Gray and the rest of the A’s rotation.
On paper, this looks like a win-win for both teams involved.