Athletics / Cubs big deal
OAKLAND -- Most A's players were in shock Friday night. By the time they woke up Saturday, they were downright giddy.
Two of the first half's best pitchers, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, were shedding their Cubs uniforms and heading to Oakland. Trading season was underway, and the A's, already shouldering baseball's best record, were first to shake up things.
Some think the A's gave up too much in trading away top prospects Addison Russell and Billy McKinney, along with righty Dan Straily and a player to be named.
The future, though, isn't of immediate concern to a team that is working within the confines of a small window of opportunity for a potential big-time postseason run. Getting there won't be a picnic, either. The Angels and Mariners are playing their best baseball at the moment -- and "they're not going away," said (A's player Sean) Doolittle.
MORE: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/oak/oakland-athletics-players-express-shock-over-jeff-samardzija-blockbuster-trade?ymd=20140706&content_id=83295260&vkey=news_oak
Samardzija will make his A's debut Sunday. Hammel will start Wednesday.
I agree ... it's now or never. Go for it.
