A's get Samardzija

The A's got Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs and look like the front-runners for the AL pennant and probably the Series. However, they gave up top prospect Addison Russell (an excellent shortstop prospect), solid starting pitcher Dan Straily, and solid hitting prospect Billy McKinney (their 2013 number one pick).

So, did Billy Beane fleece Theo Epstein (and Jed Hoyer), was it a great trade for both sides, or did Epstein pull one over on his mentor?

I'm going to start by saying it's a great move for an A's team long removed from their last World Series win. However, Russell is probably going to be a blue-chip SS for the Cubs for many years and will make Beane wince every time he reads about him.

The Cubs were on a four-game winning streak. Oh, well. Nothing more fun than going to the ol' ballpark and watching a team manage payroll. Future logjam at shortstop for the Cubs should be interesting.

I don't even question Beane anymore. If he gets a player, I want that player. Having said that, this is not his normal type move, this is more the move of a "typical" pennant contender shoring up a weak spot. Looks like he wants to win , and I think they were already the best team before these moves.
If they do win, it will bring in needed money to upgrade that shit hole of a stadium.

As for Theo, I honestly dont' know. does the "Cub curse" extend to the front office personel? They are a joke, but they'll get no sympathy from me. I lost 3 mortgage payments on them in 84 and they broke my heart in 89, after 89 I wrote them off and now I just laugh at them

I see the Cubs going with Russell at short--since he's a better fielder than Castro or Baez--and moving Baez and Castro to second and left...depending on who makes the better adjustment to second. Kris Bryant will undoubtedly man third, maybe as soon as this year.

As to the Cubs curse applying to Theo, I think he and Hoyer have done a solid job--including getting Russell--so far. They've brought in Almora, Bryant, and Soler through the draft and scouting, and they look promising. He also did a great job getting Arrieta and Strop from Baltimore for Feldman, and Rizzo from SD for Cashner (who also looks good).
Theo is no Billy Beane (nobody is), but I think he is moving the Cubs in the right direction.

I see the Cubs going with Russell at short--since he's a better fielder than Castro or Baez--and moving Baez and Castro to second and left...depending on who makes the better adjustment to second. Kris Bryant will undoubtedly man third, maybe as soon as this year.

As to the Cubs curse applying to Theo, I think he and Hoyer have done a solid job--including getting Russell--so far. They've brought in Almora, Bryant, and Soler through the draft and scouting, and they look promising. He also did a great job getting Arrieta and Strop from Baltimore for Feldman, and Rizzo from SD for Cashner (who also looks good).
Theo is no Billy Beane (nobody is), but I think he is moving the Cubs in the right direction.

The Cubs will never get my sympathy (I am a diehard White Sox fan - I have my own issues), but I do admire the way that Theo is building the Cubs. It may take a year longer than originally planned, but they may be an up-and-coming team by 2016.

Samadrdzija wasn't going to re-sign with the Cubs. I think they made the right move by trading him now - just a bit surprised that they moved Hammel in the same deal instead of raiding some other team's system closer to the deadline. Unless, of course, Hammel was at his trade value peak now.

Interesting.

I can see why Beane gave up Russell. Little SP depth in AAA and a staff that is unlikely to get through the rest of the season without fatigue or injury issues, and Russell was his only bargaining chip. They had to go for it all, they may not get an opportunity like this for another 20 years. In doing this, Beane also got out ahead of the other contending teams who were searching for starting pitching. Some were suggesting that if Beane was OK with giving up Russell he should have gone for Price. Perhaps, but having two solid SP instead of just Price will likely make a difference with all those young arms.

In terms of overall projected maximum value, trades of this nature invariably favor the "selling team" gaining 6 years of inexpensive team control over each prospect. But when you have a chance to win it all you take that chance. It's not like the A's end was trivial. They get 2 starter seasons under contract between Samardzija and Hammell in the critical point in their franchise's competitive cycle. Even if they don't win it all the extra postseason revenue is significant.

This trade is a win-win in my opinion.

Agree with emart and teamnasty.

Were both these pitchers in their walk year? If so this is also a win for the two pitchers and teams interested in signing them as free agents. As players traded during the season they would not come with the anchor of that draft pick loss which has hurt the signability of so many since the new CBA went in to effect.

Samardzija is a free agent after next season.

Definitely a smart move by Beane then if he still has him in rotation for next year.
For those surprised at Oakland being buyers during an interview a few years back Beane stated moneyball was not about low spending, it was about knowing when to spend and when to save for the future. Clearly he thinks this could be Oakland's year.

Question: Does this give Oakland the top of the rotation quality to advance deep in playoffs? With the travel days #5 starters disappear or become relievers. Though Oakland may have the bullpen to advance without the aces.