The MLB winter meetings are heating up and the Chicago White Sox have made a pair of major moves, as Jeff Samardzija has been traded from the Oakland Athletics, while free agent closer David Robertson has signed a four year deal after starting his career with the New York Yankees.
According to Hardball Talk, USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale is reporting that Robertson has signed a four year deal with over $40 million to be the new closer for the White Sox. The Oakland Athletics were expected to move Samardzija and now CSN Chicago reports that they have traded Samardzija for prospects with the White Sox. Kenny Williams has made a number of moves this offseason, including signing Adam LaRoche to a two year deal earlier in the offseason.
The White Sox missed the playoffs last season, but they have a solid group of talent with Chris Sale in the rotation and now they have Samardzija and Robertson on the pitching staff. Robertson gives the team a shutdown closer, while Samardzija can be slotted in as a number two or number three starter with Sale there. Last season Sale was a Cy Young finalist and now the rotation will get stronger, while Robertson adds All-Star stuff to the back end of the bullpen.
The 29 year old was seeking a four year deal worth at least $40 million and while the Yankees were interested in signing him, they did not want to go that high. The Yankees signed Andrew Miller already and now they have him in the bullpen along with Dellin Betances. Robertson had 39 saves last season while replacing Mariano Rivera, putting up a 2.20 ERA and a strong 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings over the last 258 innings.
The Athletics deal has prospects and now Samardzija will head to Chicago and Oakland will get three players, including infielder Marcus Semien and pitcher Chris Bassitt. The Athletics are looking to restock a bit after trading away Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss, with Billy Beane looking for pro-ready players that can contribute. The team needed a shortstop badly and now they have one, while Bassitt could be a fourth or fifth starter unless he is placed in the bullpen.
Beane has been known to make moves like this over the years and after the Athletics lost in the wild card game they are in a bit of a rebuild or a reshaping. The team finished one game ahead of the Mariners in the standings and now they could be in for a tough year. The White Sox missed the playoffs again and now they have added two prime players on the market, the trade and free agent market, that is.