Shark and Hammel to the A's. Done Deal

[Boobaby1]

Per Ken Rosenthal

The deal includes not only Russell but also prospect Billy McKinney, pitcher Dan Straily, and a player to be named later, reports ESPN.com’s Keith Law (via Twitter).

9:45pm: The Athletics have agreed to acquire Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Top prospect Addison Russell is heading to Chicago in the deal.

Another team and additional players may be involved, adds Rosenthal.

 

[theberserkfury]

Holy crap... both of them?

There's gotta be another team involved, right? The A's don't have enough assets for this to make sense otherwise...

 

[Boobaby1]

Holy crap... both of them?

There's gotta be another team involved, right? The A's don't have enough assets for this to make sense otherwise...

I guess they could because they both are relatively cheap. Hammel is a FA at the end of the year, and Shark is in Arb 3 next year. Wonder who the player to be named later is or other players, and who might the other team be?

Looks like Wada and Beeler might be coming to Chicago.

 

[WindyCity]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Exact deal: Russell, McKinney and Straily to #Cubs for Samardzija, Hammel.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

wowww Shark is gone

 

[WindyCity]

Why do we need so many SS prospects when we have Castro?

 

[theberserkfury]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Exact deal: Russell, McKinney and Straily to #Cubs for Samardzija, Hammel.

My kneejerk response is "please tell me that's not all"... but I don't know enough about the guys not named Russell really...

 

[theberserkfury]

Why do we need so many SS prospects when we have Castro?

Not sure if it's a need, but stud prospects are stud prospects regardless of position... figure someone's gonna be getting traded.

 

[TL1961]

Wait!

They traded for the A's top prospect, and he's a SS?
An OF is OK. But I assumed they were getting back pitchers. Whoa.

Someone with more knowledge of prospects please tell me about these guys. Thanks.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/4/7/5587354/oakland-athletics-top-20-prospects-for-2014

1) Addison Russell, SS, Grade A: Looks like a complete player to me, perhaps not a guy who is going to hit .330 but who should produce power, speed, on-base percentage, and enough range and arm strength to remain at shortstop. Future long-term regular and All-Star candidate eventually.

2) Billy McKinney, OF, Grade B: Borderline B+: Scouts love him despite average tools due to his excellent feel for hitting and overall instincts for the game. Opening 2014 in High-A, a big jump for a high school player, but the challenge worked for Russell.

 

[WindyCity]

Russell is an excellent piece and an elite prospect.

But now we are moving Castro or Baez to get pitching? Someone explain to me where the pitching in this organization is going to come from?

 

[BrewCrewFan]

I would guess Castro gets moved for pitching.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

1B: Anthony Rizzo
2B: Addison Russell
SS: Javier Baez
3B: Kris Bryant

 

[nwfisch]

:fap:

 

[FrankieLyrical]

1B: Anthony Rizzo
2B: Addison Russell
SS: Javier Baez
3B: Kris Bryant

What about Alcantara?

EDIT: And I thought Bryant has been projected to be a corner outfielder?

 

[zack54attack]

I wanted pitching. But a prospect like Russell is a good haul....

Remember, the Cubs will have a nice problem with figuring out this infield.

 

[Boobaby1]

I would guess Castro gets moved for pitching.

Maybe. Or maybe they use some of these Prospects to get a Cueto or Price.

It all depends what the FO thinks is better long term. The Cubs might like it that Castro now is hitting, or they may feel the need to move him to acquire other needs. There isn't much left at the parent level to bring TOR pitching, so it's ether Rizzo, Castro, or the farm. My guess is the farm.

It's anybody's game now.

 

[WindyCity]

I wanted pitching. But a prospect like Russell is a good haul....

Remember, the Cubs will have a nice problem with figuring out this infield.

Let's hope they don't have to resort to me pitching slow pitch under hand in front of that in field.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

BTW I think it's awesome the A's are going all in like this. I hope they win it all this year.

 

[WindyCity]

BTW I think it's awesome the A's are going all in like this. I hope they win it all this year.

Would love to see the As with no pay roll and the worst park in baseball win it all.

Scre Selig.