A's get Samardzija

Now that Verlander isn't even pitching like a #3 starter, the A's have the best AL front three in Gray, Samardzija and Kazmir. That leaves them with three excellent candidates for their fourth starter in Hammel, Chavez, and Milone.

The only real pitching question for them is how long Gray--who only pitched 182 innings last year--can go. Milone may have to sub for him at the end to rest him up. That being said, no team is better prepared for success in the playoffs than the A's.

Now that Verlander isn't even pitching like a #3 starter, the A's arguably have the best front three in Gray, Samardzija and Kazmir. That leaves them with three excellent candidates for their fourth starter in Hammel, Chavez, and Milone.

The only real pitching question for them is how long Gray--who only pitched 182 innings last year--can go. Milone may have to sub for him at the end to rest him up. That being said, no team is better prepared for success in the playoffs than the A's.

Agreed. And if they play their game, they'll have their opponents aces at 100 pitches by the 6th inning, and their pen matches up with anybody

Update:

Since the big trade, things are looking even brighter for the Cubs. As everyone knows, they moved Baez over to 2b and promoted him. And he has done just what they have expected: hit with substantial power (7hrs/78abs) and strike out a lot. He will probably never hit higher than .280, and more likely hit .240-.260, but he has legitimate 30-40 hr power and he is already showing it.

Also, Addison Russell is lighting it up in AA Tennessee, hitting .296 with 11 homers in 136 ABs and playing excellent d. By September of next year, the Cubs could have one of the best young infields in MLB with Bryant at 3b, Russell at SS, Baez at 2b, and Rizzo at 1b. Their future outfield is also solidifying with this years #1 pick C/Lf Kyle Schwarber hitting very well; either Castro, Alcantara, or Almora manning center, and Jorge Soler in right. Considering Cincy and Stl's offensive woes, Chicago should be a top-tier offensive team in their division soon.

Which leaves pitching. The Cubs already have a young, talented front four with Arrieta, Wood (who's on an off-year), Wada, and Hendricks (whom they stole from Texas). Their 2012 first-rounder, Pierce Johnson, is also pitching well in AAA and should be ready next year. They could and should, however, improve that pitching by trading Castro for it. He's having his best offensive year, despite further defensive woes, and could fetch a Syndergaard from the Mets or a Carlos Martinez (and more) from the Cards...And with the organization on an upswing, don't rule them out of the Scherzer sweepstakes.

Update summary: The A's and Samardzija are both slumping a bit (Hammel has been terrible), and they seem to miss Cespedes' offense and spark. But they're still playoff bound as the title favorites. The Cubs, however, clearly made a major score in nabbing Russell, should broach .500 next year, and legitimately compete as a top NL team in 2016.

Update:

Since the big trade, things are looking even brighter for the Cubs. As everyone knows, they moved Baez over to 2b and promoted him. And he has done just what they have expected: hit with substantial power (7hrs/78abs) and strike out a lot. He will probably never hit higher than .280, and more likely hit .240-.260, but he has legitimate 30-40 hr power and he is already showing it.

Also, Addison Russell is lighting it up in AA Tennessee, hitting .296 with 11 homers in 136 ABs and playing excellent d. By September of next year, the Cubs could have one of the best young infields in MLB with Bryant at 3b, Russell at SS, Baez at 2b, and Rizzo at 1b. Their future outfield is also solidifying with this years #1 pick C/Lf Kyle Schwarber hitting very well; either Castro, Alcantara, or Almora manning center, and Jorge Soler in right. Considering Cincy and Stl's offensive woes, Chicago should be a top-tier offensive team in their division soon.

Which leaves pitching. The Cubs already have a young, talented front four with Arrieta, Wood (who's on an off-year), Wada, and Hendricks (whom they stole from Texas). Their 2012 first-rounder, Pierce Johnson, is also pitching well in AAA and should be ready next year. They could and should, however, improve that pitching by trading Castro for it. He's having his best offensive year, despite further defensive woes, and could fetch a Syndergaard from the Mets or a Carlos Martinez (and more) from the Cards...And with the organization on an upswing, don't rule them out of the Scherzer sweepstakes.

Update summary: The A's and Samardzija are both slumping a bit (Hammel has been terrible), and they seem to miss Cespedes' offense and spark. But they're still playoff bound as the title favorites. The Cubs, however, clearly made a major score in nabbing Russell, should broach .500 next year, and legitimately compete as a top NL team in 2016.

Your right , he could fetch Syndergaard from the Mets, problem is published reports have them asking for Syndergaard PLUS another top flight prospect ( Montero? Plawecki? ) and the Mets very rightly refuse to give them more than just Syndergaard. So Unless they come down a bit off their demands do not expect Alderson to cave and see this happen.

I could see them saying "no" to Syndergaard and Montero; that's a lot of young, talented pitching to give up. But, do you really think Syndergaard and Plawecki is too much to give up? The Met's could really use a shortstop with Castro's bat and flair...and admitted eccentricities. Considering Duda is now entrenched at first, D'Arnaud is starting to rake at catcher, and Plawecki's below average arm, I think it would be a good deal for the Mets.

You're know more Mets than me, though, Niners. Tell me if I'm missing something on Plawecki.

I could see them saying "no" to Syndergaard and Montero; that's a lot of young, talented pitching to give up. But, do you really think Syndergaard and Plawecki is too much to give up? The Met's could really use a shortstop with Castro's bat and flair...and admitted eccentricities. Considering Duda is now entrenched at first, D'Arnaud is starting to rake at catcher, and Plawecki's below average arm, I think it would be a good deal for the Mets.

You're know more Mets than me, though, Niners. Tell me if I'm missing something on Plawecki.

I doesn't matter what I think, all I know is, reports have the Cubs asking for more than what the Mets think Castro is worth. Frankly, I do not want the guy even if all they wanted was Syndergaard. I do not like SS's with his defensive liabilites despite his offense. As for Plawecki, he's doing very well from all reports, and given how bad the Mets have been at developing offensive players, especially at the key positions of C SS and CF, I think they should hold onto him and see what he brings to the table. d'Arnaud hasn't particularly set the majors ablaze, though he has done better lately. It could set up a situation similar to Davis/Duda and maybe the make the right decision and make it early enough to get value for one or the other.