The Chicago Cubs have traded starting pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics for Double-A shortstop Addison Russell.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal broke the story on Twitter and had reported earlier that the two teams were at a stand still over the status of the Athletics' top prospect. Rosenthal noted that Russell being left out of the lineup for the A's Double-A club’s game Friday night could had been a hint that he was on the move.
DEAL IS DONE: #Cubs send Samardzija and Hammel to #Athletics for Addison Russell, per sources. May be other players and team(s) involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 5, 2014
Addison Russell’s name has been discussed with #Cubs, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. He is not playing today for #Athletics’ Double A club. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 5, 2014
A's continue trade talks for starting pitcher and 2B and as usual willing to trade top prospects not named Russell — JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) July 4, 2014
The A’s had been adamant about adding pitching to the current staff, but had been reluctant to include the organization's top prospect in any deals before dealing him to Chicago. Russel is batting .333 in 57 plate appearances in Double-A Midland and missed a part of the season with injuries.
Samardzija is 2-7 with a 2.83 earned run average and has expressed interest in playing for a contender, while Hammel is seen as a cheaper option for teams looking to add pitchers. The Cubs had made it known they are open to trading any of their starting pitchers to gain minor league prospects and now they have added the Athletic's top young player.
The Cubs will also receive pitcher Dan Straily, outfielder Billy McKinney, the 24th overall pick in the 2013 draft, and a player to be named later. The A's current have the MLB's best record at 53-33.
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