Jeff Samardzija traded to White Sox
By Nick Avila
It seems like just six months ago the A’s acquired Jeff Samardzija, probably because it was. The A’s sent two of their top prospects packing in the deal with the Chicago Cubs, but just half a year later the A’s will be bringing in a precious haul of Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, Josh Phegley and Rangel Ravelo from Chicago with Samardzija and Michael Ynoa on their way to the White Sox.
Once again, the deal isn’t much of a surprise as the rumors had been swirling since before Josh Donaldson was traded.
Samardzija has been a hot commodity for years, and with his contract being less than half the price of a Jon Lester or Max Sherzer, he’s incredibly sought after. Although the Sox will only have him locked up for a year, the ace has said he’d be willing to return and sign in the windy city. If Chicago isn’t able to lock him up and the White Sox fall out of the hunt next season, they could pick up prospects from a buyer at the trade deadline. They could even hold onto Samardzija and give him a qualifying offer he’d surely pass up and claim a compensation pick for the right-hander.
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Samardzija posted a 3.14 ERA for the A’s while also dazzling with a sub-1 WHIP for Oakland. Samardzija’s 36-48 W/L record has been a blemish for him in his career, mainly due to playing for offense-lacking Cubs teams in his first seven years.
The A’s knew what they were giving up for Samardzija and knew what they were receiving: an ace to propel the team to the playoffs. While Samardzija held up his end of the bargain, the bats of the A’s went to sleep, as many of you know.
So what will the A’s receive for Samardzija?
The swirling tweets and articles from the get-go were saying any deal for the Shark would have to include White Sox SS/2B Marcus Semien and that indeed was the case.
Sources: If the White Sox do deal for Jeff Samardzija, return would be Marcus Semien and prospects. A's would slot Semien in at shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014
The 24-year-old El Cerrito native was drafted by the White Sox in the 34th round out of high school in 2008, but instead chose to go to Cal and was re-drafted by the White Sox in 2011 in the sixth round.
In 83 games for the White Sox AAA affiliate in 2014, Semien had a .267/.380/.502 triple slash. Semien has shown a keen eye in his minor league career, with 228 walks to 299 strikeouts and looks to be a possibility to join the A’s sometime this season to compete with Andy Parrino as the A’s continue to search for a productive shortstop of the future.
Semien has gotten the call to the majors in both of the last two seasons, posting a .240/.293/.380 triple slash in 85 appearances with the major club. Welcome to Oakland, Marcus.