Report: Athletics acquire Samardzija, Hammel from Cubs in 5-player deal

The Oakland Athletics are bolstering their rotation for a deep playoff run.

Rosenthal reported earlier Friday evening the clubs were engaged in serious discussions, and Jason Hammel was lifted after throwing only 92 pitches against the Washington Nationals, which was an indicator of a possible deal.

Jeff Samardzija (2-7, 2.83 ERA) and Hammel (8-5, 2.98 ERA) will join Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez and Tommy Milone as starting pitching candidates, positioning the American League West division-leading A's for a playoff run.

The Cubs, however, also make out pretty well with the deal. Addison Russell, widely considered as the A's best prospect, is slashing .333/.439/.500 with the team's Double-A affiliate this season. The defensive specialist was the 11th overall pick in the 2012 draft, and now joins a stacked Cubs farm system, which already boasts Javier Baez and Kris Bryant.

Billy McKinney, Oakland's first-round pick (24th overall) in 2013, is only 19 years old and has tremendous upside. The left-handed hitting outfielder is already displaying power with 10 home runs for Class-A Stockton.

Dan Straily, who went 1-2 with a 4.93 ERA in seven starts this season before being demoted to the minors, should benefit from a move to the National League.