Jeff Samardzija remains winless on the season, despite a Major League Baseball-best 1.46 ERA. The Chicago Cubs’ ace is 0-4, and the team is 16-28, 10.5 games out of first place in the NL Central.
All signs point to the Cubs dealing Samardzija sooner or later.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman believes that the Cubs have no choice but to sign the pitcher to a long-term deal or trade him in before July.
Per Heyman:
…Dealing him in July seems to be the more sensible approach. And in all likelihood, that’s where they’re headed (at least that’s what most rivals assume). As much as the Cubs would like to keep Samardzija into their projected improvement, as much as they love his arm (an upper-90s thrower with very limited wear and tear), his competitiveness and his youth (he’s only 29), it’s fair to conclude he’s much more valuable to a number of others teams now.
The Toronto Blue Jays have long been rumored as a suitor for Samardzija, and being tied with the New York Yankees atop the AL East standings might be enough motivation for the team to make a big move to acquire another arm.
Likewise, the Yankees could be in the market for Samardzija. CC Sabathia was recently placed on the disabled list and Ivan Nova was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery.
According to the New York Post, Samardjiza may be the most attractive pitcher on the trading block this summer. But the Yanks may not have enough in their farm system to acquire him
Because Samardzija is under team control through next year, he’ll require a haul of prospects to acquire him, and the Yankees might not be able to compete in that arena even as their farm system has enjoyed a rebound year.
However, Heyman believes the Yankees have enough to strike a deal. Possible players that may be included in the package include reliever Dellin Betances, as well as prospects Ian Clarkin, Aaron Judge and Eric Jagielo.
