The MLB trade deadline is not until the end of the month, but things have already started heating up, as the Oakland Athletics have surprised baseball with a deal for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs for pitcher Dan Straily and shortstop Addison Russell, while the Yankees received some bad news on CC Sabathia, as he could be out for the year with a knee injury.

The news on the Athletics deal came down Friday night and was reported by ESPN.com, writing that high ranking sources close to deal said that Oakland traded for both Samardzija and HAmmel, the top pitchers on the trade market this season, giving up to the Cubs both pitcher Dan Straily as well as shortstop Addison Russell, who is considered the best prospect in the A's system. The Athletics are one of the best teams in baseball and they clearly are going all-in on this season with a deal like this.

The Cubs were expecting to trade both pitchers at the deadline and now they are both shipped out for one of the top prospects in baseball and this comes as the A's are 20 games over .500 and first in the AL West. The Yankees received some tough news with CC Sabathia getting inflammation in his knee and Joe Girardi said he potentially could be out for the season. The Yankees could look at trading for a pitcher with the news of Sabathia likely being out for the season.