Cubs send Samardzija and Hammel to Athletics for Addison Russell, per sources.

[DonyellFreak]

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Good stuff for the A's...well done!...

 

[HammerDown]

I'm very excited for the A's. They're my hope for the AL now.

 

[tlance]

Good stuff for the A's...well done!...

Time will tell, but I'm not so sure.

 

[cezero]

wow

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Time will tell, but I'm not so sure.

A's got a proven starter to their pitching rotation at this time of year...I have seen alot of basaballa in my life and THIS ONE smells good.

 

[tlance]

A's got a proven starter to their pitching rotation at this time of year...I have seen alot of basaballa in my life and THIS ONE smells good.

Cubs got an elite SS prospect and the A's greatest weakness is their middle infield.

This deal does not make a lot of sense to me on either end since the Cubs already have Baez and Alcantara. If the A's don't win the series this year, they will regret this move.

 

[CarlSr]

Well I guess they're serious about this season. That's a very solid group of pitchers they have now. I'm still not so sure it will all come together for them in the playoffs, but at least they're making a serious push to win it all now while they're hot.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Cubs got an elite SS prospect and the A's greatest weakness is their middle infield.

This deal does not make a lot of sense to me on either end since the Cubs already have Baez and Alcantara. If the A's don't win the series this year, they will regret this move.

What are you talking about? A's had to have another righty in the rotation. And to get an ace. Well they got what we all were expecting.

I called this months ago.

Now with a Smardzija, Kaz, Gray, Milone playoff rotation they are legit WS contenders.

We all love what Jesse Chavez has done but how long will it last? I think most knew we needed another righty in the rotation.

Right, left, right, left. You can't go left left in playoffs. That is why this made perfect sense.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

I didnt see this comming at all. why would the Cubs get rid of one of there best pitchers in my opinion

 

[WhiteMamba]

I didnt see this comming at all. why would the Cubs get rid of one of there best pitchers in my opinion

For the future. Happens all the time.

I bought they would push for one or the other Hammels or Smardj, but both is unreal.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Looks like with getting Hammels as well we will see Gray start pitching less innings.

Possibly shut him down for playoffs at some point.

Bravo BB!!!!

 

[WhiteMamba]

lol @ Sean Doolittle's tweet

"Excited to see Smardzija back on a football field."

 

[HammerDown]

I didnt see this comming at all. why would the Cubs get rid of one of there best pitchers in my opinion

Seriously?

 

[HammerDown]

Looks like with getting Hammels as well we will see Gray start pitching less innings.

Possibly shut him down for playoffs at some point.

Bravo BB!!!!

Dude, it opens up soo many options for this team. I'd start by sitting Gray til after the ASG. You guys have every reason to be excited.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Dude, it opens up soo many options for this team. I'd start by sitting Gray til after the ASG. You guys have every reason to be excited.

Yes sir. My good buddy (BeaverShaver) called this in May. He even mentioned Straily as part of the trade for Smadj.

I started buying in also and told one of the Cubs fans here at SportsHoopla he will look great in an A's uni.

I can't believe they got Hammel also.

You are right Hammer, every reason to be very optimistic.

 

[Isaiah4110]

What are you talking about? A's had to have another righty in the rotation. And to get an ace. Well they got what we all were expecting.

I called this months ago.

Now with a Smardzija, Kaz, Gray, Milone playoff rotation they are legit WS contenders.

We all love what Jesse Chavez has done but how long will it last? I think most knew we needed another righty in the rotation.

Right, left, right, left. You can't go left left in playoffs. That is why this made perfect sense.

Gotta disagree on your playoff rotation there. Pretty sure (especially after Milone's demotion) it will be Gray, Kazmir, Smardzjia, Hammel/Chavez (more likely Hammel because Chavez has experience and success as a long reliever). If Chavez ends the season with a sub-3.00 ERA then he gets the spot, or if Hammel regresses to his career average numbers then that might also give Chavez the spot.

Bottom line: That is a ridiculous 1-5 rotation. How many teams have 5 starting pitchers with sub-3.5 ERAs, three of them under 3.00?

 

[Isaiah4110]

As far as the trade goes overall: We definitely paid a hefty price, but I don't feel we got fleeced. I've also heard rumors that Hammel may get flipped at the deadline for prospects.

Take a look at the A's starting pitching and depth next season:

1. Sonny Gray
2. Scott Kazmir
3. Jeff Smardzija
4. Jesse Chavez
5. Drew Pomeranz
6. Jarrod Parker (recovering from TJ)
7. Tommy Milone
8. A.J. Griffin (recovering from TJ)

Maybe I'm being a homer here, but I have a hard time seeing any of these pitchers any lower than #3 on most major league teams.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Incredible number of Quality starters.

as far as rotation for playoff I go the same way you posted it.

I was just poring the 4 that came to mind. Milone had been red hot, but got demoted anyways.
Just thinking r, l, r, l

But I go the same way you have listed above.

 

[Isaiah4110]

Oh, and I only list Parker as the A's #6 starter next season because I don't expect him to be ready to go by opening day. If I had to put a date on it I would project his return for mid to late May.