The MLB trade deadline is not for a couple months, but Jeff Samardzija has been getting plenty of attention from opposing teams looking to make deals this season and now the Baltimore Orioles appear to be the frontrunner for the Cubs pitcher, while the As NY Yankees, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox also could be in the mix for a trade.
The Cubs are likely to trade Samardzija this season after not being able to come to a contract extension with him earlier in the year and he is one of the most coveted pitchers on the trade market due to his age. The Cubs are rebuilding hard and with Samardzija getting near 30, it could be time to move him and the way he has pitched has made him even more valuable and even more of a trade target. This season Samardzija is 1-4 with a 1.68 ERA and before getting that win he was 0-4 with a 1.45 Era and his frustration with the support from the Cubs was starting to boil over.
Last season Samardzija was at 200 innings and 200 strikeouts and he has been trending that way over the past couple years and now he could be a prime target for teams at the deadline. Samardzija has a sub 4.00 ERA in his career and is 30-39 overall with the Cubbies. According to Hardball Talk, the Orioles could be the frontrunner for the deal, making names like Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Hunter Harvey and Eduardo Rodriguez likely prospects that the Cubs would want in a trade. The season is moving past the 50 games mark and teams are starting to get an idea of where they will be and how they are built for the season and teams in contention with weak pitching will be looking hard at Samardzija.
The Orioles have some young talent to trade and that makes them a solid partner, as the Cubs will be looking to pick up prospects in any deal for Samardzija. According to CBS Chicago, the team could make the move before the July 31 deadline if they get a deal they like and one name to look out for is Bundy. The Orioles would love to avoid trading Bundy since he is a highly rated prospect, but to get Samardzija they may have to give him up. Bundy had Tommy John surgery after being drafted and he has a great curve ball and fastball and he could be the centerpiece of a deal for the Cubs.
The Yankees and Red Sox remain options with the injuries they have dealt with, especially NY, who has CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda on the mend now. The Red Sox could use the boost, while the Orioles are desperate for some pitching, as they are ranked 25th in the league in ERA and 29th in quality starts. The team is 27th in WHIP and 28th in BAA and they desperately could use an injection of some Samardzija into the rotation.