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A's shipping Russell, McKinney to Cubs

Oakland nets big leaguers Samardzija, Hammel in deal with Chicago
July 4, 2014

The Jeff Samardzija sweepstakes apparently are over and they cost the winners two highly ranked prospects and a 25-year-old pitcher with big league experience.

Samardzija and Jason Hammel reportedly have been traded from the Cubs to the Oakland Athletics for infielder Addison Russell, outfielder Billy McKinney and right-hander Dan Straily.

Neither team has announced the deal, although MLB.com confirmed numerous reports that outlined components of the trade.

Russell is MLB.com's No. 11 overall prospect and entered both 2013 and 2014 as the A's top prospect. The 20-year-old shortstop suffered a hamstring injury two games into the season and hit .268 with a .400 on-base percentage since returning to Double-A Midland.

By adding Russell, the Cubs boast four of baseball's top 15 prospects, with the Florida native joining Javier Baez (No. 6), Kris Bryant (No. 8) and Albert Almora (No. 15).

McKinney, the 24th overall pick in last year's Draft, had 10 homers and batted .241 with a .330 OBP in 75 games for Class A Advanced Stockton. The Texas native, who turns 20 next month, had been considered the A's No. 2 prospect.

Straily has made 17 starts between the Major Leagues and Triple-A Sacramento this year. Last season, the 25-year-old right-hander was 10-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 27 starts for the A's and 3-1 with a 1.14 ERA for the River Cats.

Samardzija is 2-7 with a 2.83 ERA and 103 strikeouts against 31 walks over 108 innings this year. Hammel is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA, fanning 104 and walking 23 over 108 2/3 innings.

Josh Jackson is a contributor to MiLB.com.