On July 5, 2014, Chicago Cubs, embarking on a full-scale rebuilding job, consisting of low-priced, below-average veterans such as Emilio Bonifacio and promising young talents such as Anthony Rizzo, found themselves in last place in the National League Central Division, completely looking ahead to a hopeful future. Meanwhile, the Oakland A’s, back-to-back American League West Champions, had the best record in baseball and were widely considered to be the foremost championship contender. A move whose repercussions echo after this season, the trade of pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel in exchange for top prospects Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, and pitcher Dan Straily, led to a world championship in Chicago and a complete collapse in Oakland.
The Trade That Changed the Cubs
