Cubs Blockbuster Trade with Athletics

[EmpireWF]

From MLBTR

" The Athletics have agreed to acquire Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs, with top prospect Addison Russell heading to Chicago in the deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Another team and additional players may be involved, adds Rosenthal."

Wow

[Guest]

Pretty good haul for the Cubs, Oakland now has to be considered favorite for that division, if not the AL Pennant

[Slateman]

Yep. However, for this to be worth it, the A's have to get to the ALCS.

This gives the Cubs Bryant/Olt at third, Baez at second, and Russell at SS. Does that mean Castro gets dealt next?

[EmpireWF]

Yep. However, for this to be worth it, the A's have to get to the ALCS.

This gives the Cubs Bryant/Olt at third, Baez at second, and Russell at SS. Does that mean Castro gets dealt next?

It's worth it, period. Oakland is the best team in baseball for the first half of the year and have done it after losing Griffin and Parker for the season. They needed to bolster the depth of that rotation and this does that, giving them the best rotation in the league and one of the best in MLB. When you're in the mix, Beane is trying to win and if it means dealing your top two prospects (who won't be MLB ready for at least 1 more year if not more), so be it.

For the Cubs, I don't know that they can move Castro. 6 years and $44M left on his deal, but he is having a great bounce back year. Even if they end up keeping him, they don't have to worry about the future infield until the time comes.

But, who will be pitching for Chicago?

[Guest]

I remember hearing something during spring training that the Cubs would eventually move Castro to an outfield position, so I assume that is open. Under new ownership, the Cubs have proven to be more frugal than in years past, so I would imagine they would rather pay Castro to play for them than to play for someone else.

[MVPete]

Pretty sure they could find someone who would take on Castro, you guys are acting like he is getting Elvis Andrus money. I've heard sliding Castro over to 3rd in the past, so that is another possibility. Whoever has the best hands stays at short, someone else to 2nd, the slow guy to 3rd lol.

Kind of wish the Rays would of done something to land Russell, but I guess they want a better package. I would imagine they wanted Zobrist too since their middle infield is awful.