Report: Cubs trade Jeff Samardzija to Athletics for Addison Russell

In the weeks leading up to the Major League Baseball trade deadline, one name that has consistently come up in talks is that of Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija. Well, with just a few weeks left until the trade deadline hits on July 31, the Cubs have struck a deal as they’ll be sending Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics for shortstop Addidson Russell, according to Ken Rosenthal.

As Rosenthal stated, there could be another team, and players, involved that were able to make a deal come to fruition, but they’re not known at this time.

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Also involved in the deal is pitcher Jason Hammel. This season, Hammel touts a record of 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA with 104 strikeouts.

However, the big name in this case, as has been all along, is Samardzija. So far in the 2014 season, the former Notre Dame football standout is 2-7, but he does have an ERA of 2.83 and 103 strikeouts.

Just earlier in the day on Friday, CBS reported that a deal was imminent.

"The rumors on this night are flying, too. A Fox Sports report says it’s possible both Samardzija and Hammel could be headed to Oakland, in which case Russell is almost certainly headed to the Cubs system. Some other reports indicate this might even be a three-team trade."

Samardzija is set to hit free agency in 2015, so it’s unlikely that the A’s will keep him past next season, but nothing is concrete on that as of yet.

UPDATE: Not long after the announcement, Rosenthal supplied the terms of the deal.