Theo Epstein really rolled the dice on trading Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Athletics. It's a high-risk, high-reward trade that could pay off for the A's this year, and for the Cubs in future years. Epstein had a conference call with reporters Saturday morning and here are some highlights, via tweets from those reporters:
Theo says plans/hopes for this to be last year of process when Cubs are "obvious sellers" in summer.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 5, 2014
#Cubs Theo: "I really feel there's a light at the end of the tunnel." Says he appreciates fans' patience
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 5, 2014
Theo: "You can never have too many shortstops. They end up all over the field."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 5, 2014
Theo on Samardzija contract talks: "In the end, that mutual interest wasn’t enough. Don’t blame anyone. Timing wasn’t aligned."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 5, 2014
Theo told Hammel on pitch count beef: "You're 100 percent right."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 5, 2014
Theo said Hammel was right in voicing displeasure over being taken out Friday and #Cubs don't have strict pitch-count limits
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) July 5, 2014
Theo says Straily will head to Iowa and get a chance to regroup for a few starts, the way Arrieta did last season.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) July 5, 2014
#Cubs and #Athletics do have date set to determine player to be named later; will be later this year
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 5, 2014
Chris Rusin will join #Cubs today. Rest of roster moves will be announced later
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 5, 2014
Also says 1-2 from Wada, Hendricks, Beeler, Rusin group will get a chance
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 5, 2014
Theo says Billy Beane was "great and direct" to deal with and "courageous" for making this trade. #Cubs #Athletics
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) July 5, 2014