What an Incredibly Exciting ex-Cub weekend
We didn't get much in the way of Cubs news over the Thanksgiving break besides the cautionary tale that the bleacher renovations may not be ready in time for Opening Day. But we got plenty of exciting ex-Cubs news.
The A's traded former 2nd round pick of the Cubs Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Brett Lawrie, pitchers Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman and shortstop Franklin Barreto. The A's get 4 years younger between Donaldson and Lawrie, pick up 2 decent mid-range potential pitchers and potential high-end shortstop. It's classic Billy Beane selling high and re-tooling and it doesn't mean they all work out or this one will, but it's kind of what you need to do to survive on their budgets. Take chances on when guys will catch their peak (as they did with Donaldson 2-3 years ago and will now with Lawrie) and rebuild the waves of prospects, many of whom went to other teams during deadline deals. The Blue Jays of course get a player with a 6+ fWAR the last 2 seasons and only a few of those around. Donaldson did have some knee problems last year and the Toronto turf isn't going to help that at all, but at just age 29, he still has a real good shot at being a top 10 player in the AL.
The other ex-Cub rumor dealt with Jeff Samardzija. There were strong hints he was being sent to the White Sox this weekend (and the weekend isn't over yet), either for Alexei Ramirez or prospect Tim Anderson. There were also rumors he'd be going to Atlanta in a deal involving Justin Upton and/or Evan Gattis, although that one was squashed last time I looked. But with just a year before hitting free agency, undoubtedly he'll get moved as Beane and the A's certainly don't want to take the risk of getting nothing for him.
There was the Pedro Strop news....involved in pretty nasty car accident, but seems the only damage to him required a few stitches on his non-throwing arm and he should be fine for next season.
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