ion wanted. I was thrilled about

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OAKLAND, Calif. . -- The beginning of Julys first blockbuster trade occurred about a month ago, when Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane called Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein to ask about Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Beane told Epstein he liked the starting pitchers, and he was going to be aggressive in an attempt to improve the AL West leaders. Fast forward to this weekend, when Beane proved just how serious he was during that initial call. Oakland and Chicago announced the big trade on Saturday, with Samardzija and Hammel heading to the West Coast for a package of prospects that included the As first-round selections in each of the past two drafts. "The deal speaks for itself. To pick up two guys like that in early June is pretty fantastic," As manager Bob Melvin said. "We wanted more options and saw the urgency to get it done. This makes us better." The Athletics began the day with the best record in baseball, but Beane felt he needed to add depth to a rotation that responded well to season-ending injuries for Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin. Drew Pomeranz also is on the disabled list with a broken right hand. Samardzija and Hammel join Scott Kazmir and Sonny Gray in one of the majors best group of starting pitchers. "We had to dig into our depth really early, and we felt like we needed two (starting pitchers)," Beane said. Samardzija will start for the As on Sunday. He was scheduled to pitch for the Cubs Saturday. In somewhat of a surprise, the As sent left-hander Tommy Milone to Triple-A Sacramento later Saturday to make room for Samardzija. Milone was 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA over his last 11 starts and 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts overall. "What do you say to a guy like that?" Melvin said. "Hes been terrific his last 10 starts and has meant a lot to us the last three years. I tried to figure out what to say to him. We havent seen the last of him." Oakland will make a move Sunday to clear space for Hammel, who will start Wednesday. Minor leaguers Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and Dan Straily went to Chicago in another painful deal for the lowly Cubs, who have played better of late, but are still last in the NL Central. Chicago also gets a player to be named in its latest July sell-off. The Cubs lost at least 91 games in each of the previous three years. They traded away starting pitchers Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm in July 2012, and Matt Garza and Scott Feldman last July. "We certainly hope that this is the last year that were obvious sellers at the trade deadline," Epstein said. The key piece for Chicago in the deal with Oakland was Russell, a 20-year-old shortstop headed for Double-A Tennessee. A torn right hamstring sidelined the No. 11 overall selection in the 2012 draft earlier this season, but he was batting .333 in 13 games for Double-A Midland at the time of the trade. Chicago and Oakland talked about a Samardzija for Russell deal, but Epstein said the one-for-one framework didnt work. He spoke with Beane on Thursday night, and thats when the trade grew into the larger package. "We felt like Russell was a key for us in any deal with Oakland," Epstein said. The hard-throwing Samardzija had a 2-7 record for the Cubs, but he also had a 2.83 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 108 innings, making him one of the most coveted pitchers on the market. The former Notre Dame receiver was selected by Chicago in the fifth round in 2006. Chicago recalled left-hander Chris Rusin from Triple-A Iowa. Epstein said the Cubs were still discussing their options when it came to the rotation. "I can say that (after that) its going to stay the same until Tuesday for the doubleheader (at Cincinnati)," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of the rotation after Saturday. Jake Arrieta is set to start Sunday in Washington and Edwin Jackson on Monday at Cincinnati. The Cubs will add a 26th man, Tsuyoshi Wada, for Tuesdays doubleheader. The Cubs talked to the 29-year-old Samardzija about a contract extension, but were unable to come to an agreement. He is set to become a free agent for the first time after the 2015 season. "Jeff has been a bit of workhorse," Beane said. "Hes got a perfect health record. Hes a guy that continues to develop. Hes gotten better and better each year he goes out." Hammel signed a $6 million, one-year contract with Chicago in February and went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 108 2-3 innings with the Cubs. He pitched six-plus innings in a 7-2 victory over Washington on Friday. Hammel, who turns 32 in September, also has three career post-season starts. "Hes gotten better and better and we think now is a great time to have him," Beane said. The 19-year-old McKinney, who was selected in the first round a year ago, hit .241 with 10 homers for Class A Stockton this season. He is headed for Chicagos Class A affiliate in Daytona, Florida, where he will share the outfield with another top prospect in Albert Almora. Straily finished 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 27 starts for the As last year. He was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento after struggling earlier this season, and Epstein said he likely would be up with the Cubs after a short stay at Triple-A Iowa. Even before the deal, Chicago had one of the richest minor league systems in baseball. The addition of Russell and McKinney just enhances the Cubs impressive group of prospects. "We think we have a real outstanding stable of good young position players that is a stable base to build off," Epstein said. "We like how this positions us." . The former central defender calmly nodded it down and quietly went about celebrating a win with his staff. For a man who has had a lot on his shoulders this season, it was an appropriate moment. .Manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo on Friday that Sturridge pulled his calf muscle in training as he prepared to return from a five-week layoff due to a thigh strain. . -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Mike McCarthy didnt want to think or talk about his accomplishments or his potential legacy as the Green Bay Packers coach Monday.He wanted to change the subject to Sunday nights game against Chicago.So shortly after the team announced that hed signed a multiyear contract extension, McCarthy lasted all of six questions before he tried steering the discussion in another direction.Can we talk about the Bears now? McCarthy said, referring to the Packers upcoming game Sunday night against their NFC North rivals.But more questions followed about McCarthys place in one of the NFLs most-storied franchises.It made sense considering hes five victories behind Vince Lombardi in Packers history. With a 93-53-1 record including the playoffs, McCarthy ranks third in team history behind Curly Lambeau (212) and Lombardi (98).Im not going to compare myself to Coach Lombardi. Lets be real here, McCarthy said. I understand my place, my opportunity and Im very thankful for the people that came before me.In McCarthys nine seasons as coach, the Packers have made six playoff appearances, won four division titles, appeared in two NFC championship games and won a Super Bowl.The Packers did not release specifics of McCarthys deal.General manager Ted Thompson signed an extension in July that reportedly runs through the 2019 draft.We are very happy to extend our relationship with Mike, Thompson said in a statement. Over the past nine years, hes provided great stability and consistency to the Packers organization and our community as an excellent coach and leader. Hes a good man and we look forward to the future with Mike as our head coach.A Pittsburgh native, the 50-year-old McCarthy was the Packers quarterbacks coach in 1999 before spending five seasons as the New Orleans Saints offensive co-ordinator (2000-04) and one year as the offensive co-ordinator of the San Francisco 49ers (2005) before being hired to replace Mike Sherman as Packers coach in January 2006.McCarthy began his NFL coaching career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993.Coming off a bye, the Packers enter their Sunday nighht game against the Bears at Lambeau Field with a 5-3 record following a 1-2 start. . Only the Packers and the New England Patriots have made the post-season each of the past five seasons.The Packers have won three straight NFC North titles under McCarthy and won at least 10 games in five of his nine seasons.McCarthy, who had previously signed extensions after the 2007 and 2010 seasons, said he was happy with the new deal but admitted that the timing — even though it occurred during the teams bye week — was slightly awkward for him because it happened during the season.This is a great place. Im very blessed, very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach here, McCarthy said. This is something that the organization wanted. I was thrilled about the opportunity to continue, (and) all Im really thinking about is moving forward.Frankly, Im a little uncomfortable talking about it this time of the year. This is something we havent done in-season in the past. Were thrilled as a family to be here, and were focused on the Bears.NOTES: McCarthy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who left the teams Oct. 26 loss at New Orleans with a hamstring injury, did everything during the teams modified Monday practice and looked good. ... Right guard T.J. Lang (ankle) did injury rehabilitation work during practice, McCarthy said. Cornerback Sam Shields (knee) looked good and did everything at practice while safety Morgan Burnett (calf) pretty much did everything, McCarthy said. ... The Packers released often-injured 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod Monday to make room on the 53-man roster for centre JC Tretter, who was activated from the injured reserve/designated for return list. Sherrod, who broke his leg in a December 2011 game that required emergency surgery and sidelined him for most of the next two seasons, had been the teams No. 3 offensive tackle behind starters David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. Sherrod played 20 games with one start — earlier this season in place of an injured Bulaga — in four seasons.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '

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