Jeff Samardzija could push White Sox into postseason contention
Jeff Samardzija is heading back to Chicago, but not the Cubs. (USATSI)According to our own Jon Heyman, the White Sox are close to acquiring right-hander Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics. The package heading to Oakland is unknown but infielder Marcus Semien will reportedly be involved. The deal is not yet final.
Assuming the trade is finalized in the near future -- all indications are it will be -- it just might be enough to push the White Sox into postseason contention in 2015. That doesn't necessarily mean the AL Central title, but one of the two wild-card spots could be in reach.
Samardzija is an impact pitcher who will add some balance to Chicago's lefty heavy rotation, though handedness is not hugely important. Quality pitching is quality pitching, regardless of whether it is left-handed or right-handed. Samardzija slots perfectly between Chris Sale and the underrated Jose Quintana in the rotation.
White Sox GM Rich Hahn already signed DH Adam LaRoche earlier this offseason to add some lefty thump to the lineup, at least more consistent lefty thump than what they got out of Adam Dunn this past season. They'll also have a full season of Avisail Garcia, who missed much of 2014 following shoulder surgery.
The south siders are still far from perfect, of course. They still have some very clear needs before spring training beings:
* Left field: Dayan Viciedo is the incumbent. The team got a 68 OPS+ from the position in 2014, so finding an upgrade won't be a huge undertaking. * Second base: This is assuming Semien is involved in the Samardzija trade. The club got an 80 OPS+ from their second basemen this past season, so again, it won't take much to find an upgrade.* Bullpen: Manager Robin Ventura's bullpen had a 4.38 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 2014, which is pretty bad. Hahn needs to cobble together a few relievers this winter.* Rotation Depth: Even with Sale, Samardazija and Quintana, the White Sox still have John Danks (82 ERA+ in 2014) and Hector Noesi (88 ERA+) in the rotation. Danks probably isn't going anywhere because of his contract, but finding an upgrade over Noesi should be a priority.
The White Sox won 73 games this past season and over the last three seasons it took 93 wins, 92 wins and 89 wins to claim the second wild-card spot. Improving 20 wins in an offseason is quite a task, but LaRoche and Samardzija will definitely help, as will a full year of Garcia. A good bullpen and further improvement from Conor Gillaspie, Tyler Flowers and Adam Eaton will also close the gap. Plus, you know, good ol' fashioned luck would help too.
I'll admit that a) I am bullish on the White Sox, and b) it will take a lot of things going right in 2015 for the White Sox to reach October, but they are inching closer. Hahn has quietly done a very good job of rebuilding his club. With the AL East as weak as it's been in years and the Athletics sure look like they are taking a step back, a wild-card spot could be up for grabs. The ChiSox are as good a postseason sleeper as any team in 2015.
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