Following up on a previous post, the Oakland Athletics have apparently decided to go all in for the 2014 season. According to reports, they have acquired starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs for a package that includes top prospect Addison Russell.
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
Rosenthal points out that there could very well be other players and teams involved in this one. Per another report, Billy McKinney was also held out of the lineup today for Oakland’s Single-A affiliate. He’s likely on the move to Chicago. As it relates to Russell, that’s where a third team comes into play. Chicago seems more than okay from a shortstop standpoint.
For the A’s, this is a signal that they’re going all in.
Samardzija and Hammel join a rotation that already includes two potential All-Stars in Scott Kazmir and Sonny Gray. In addition to that, Jesse Chavez has been stellar all season long.
It’s hard to imagine any team in the American League being able to go up against this pitching staff in October and coming out on top. In addition to having four pitchers that can give you seven-plus innings on a consistent basis, the A’s bullpen is stacked with late-inning arms.
Photo: Chicago Sun Times