The Chicago White Sox (42-48) failed to get off to a good start after the MLB All-Star break. They lost three out of four to the division-rival Kansas City Royals and fell further out of the playoff picture. Is it time for general manager Rick Hahn to sell?
Many would say yes, but that's not how the organization views their current standing. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted earlier today that the White Sox "will not tear down" because the team was "not simply put together for 2015." Hahn and the front office view this season as the "first of at least a 3-year window."
However, Rosenthal added the team is in "listening mode" and starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija is "most likely to go" because of his impending free agent status. Samardzija has been viewed as a likely trade candidate via rumors for quite a while due to the White Sox's performance and he's been linked to a number of contenders.
Before reporting the White Sox being in listening mode, Rosenthal weighed in on Samardzija potentially being available before the deadline in his latest column of MLB notes.
"At least 10 starters of varying qualities are available, and they soon could be joined by pitchers such as Jeff Samardzija, Yovani Gallardo and even David Price."
Fellow baseball journalist Peter Gammons weighed in on Chicago's thinking.
"The White Sox are reluctant to sell, but they also realize that Jeff Samardzija is going to go into the market-Mark Rodgers clients test the waters-and that the Astros, Blue Jays and others will talk rentals."
The right-hander was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in the offseason and he's expected to be one of the better arms on the market after 2015. It's evident he wants to explore free agency, which is likely why he hasn't signed an extension with Chicago, but he can provide immediate help to other teams in need of rotation depth and looking to make a playoff push.
Here are our top three destinations for Samardzija.
3. Chicago Cubs
A trade back to his original team? Perhaps.
The other Chicago club traded Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics last July and received current second baseman and former top prospect Addison Russell in the deal. But now the Cubs are starved for starting rotation depth and they'll be buying at the deadline as they hold the second NL wild-card spot.
"Nobody makes more sense for what the Cubs need this year than Samardzija, whose only value to the Sox is in a trade or the compensation draft pick they'd get if they keep him and make a qualifying offer before he heads off to free agency this fall," writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Cubs are also looking to sign a big name starter (or two) in the offseason and have the cash to retain Samardzija if the two sides were interested in a longer-term reunion. The 30-year-old is viewed as a worthwhile long-term signing because he's only been a starter for four seasons and has just 910 innings under his belt.
Samardzija also won't cost the Cubs an arm and a leg in a trade, unlike other pitchers on the market.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays were previously interested in Samardzija and probably still are, but the only thing is that general manager Alex Anthopoulos is not keen on trading for a rental player. He said it's the "last aisle" he wants to shop in, but he may not have much of a choice. The Jays are trying to snap a 21-year postseason drought and if they need anything, it's an established and experienced starting pitcher.
Toronto has the prospects to make a deal and Anthopoulos is an aggressive GM. However, there are many other options such as Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir, Cole Hamels, Yovani Gallardo, James Shields, Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and others that might be available before July 31.
Nonetheless, Samardzija is on that list as well and there's a good chance he lands north of the border.
The Blue Jays are certainly the team on this list that is most in need of a starter, but they're No. 2 because the market is so big and they have countless options.
1. New York Yankees
New York has surprised many this season and they'll be buying at the deadline. A starting pitcher is atop the list of priorities for general manager Brian Cashman because the rotation has not been great in the last couple of months (they dropped to 22nd in the MLB for team ERA) and it's still possible injuries affect the staff down the stretch.
Rosenthal previously noted Samardzija would be a "perfect fit" for New York and the club has been linked to the right-hander in trade rumors. He is a good fit for the Yankees considering how the front office is dealing with the current state of affairs.
"I know Cash has been having conversations with clubs, will continue to have conversations with clubs," Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler told WFAN Radio, via Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. "We kind of check in. I'll check in with some counterparts and our scouts out in the field will have some conversations here and there and just kind of keep their ears open. Our antennas are up. There will be some conversations. And Cashman will have those conversations regarding what we might be able to do."
Additionally, while the Yankees would love to make a high-profile acquisition (for perhaps a starter they can control beyond 2015), such a move comes at a costly expense. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote last week that the team is unlikely to pursue a Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels or Justin Upton because they do not want to surrender their top prospects. Cashman also has a history of making smaller trades before the deadline.
While there will be competition for Samardzija, the Yankees can likely acquire the right-hander without giving up too much. First off, almost anything would help the White Sox's farm system, which lacks talent, so they'll be all ears if the Yanks come knocking. Also, while Samardzija has improved as of late, he still owns a 4.08 ERA in 19 starts (his ERA was a 4.93 ERA in mid-June).
The Yankees have the money to keep Samardzija beyond 2015 and they might even find it worthwhile to give up a bit more to get him in pinstripes as a result.
Cashman needs to upgrade the one department that's a big question mark for the Yankees. Samardzija fits the bill in numerous ways, but most importantly he would provide stability in a rotation where such a quality appears to be a mystery. The right-hander would also benefit immensely behind the MLB's third-ranked offense rather than the league's last place unit.
