MLB Rumors: Cubs may move quickly to trade Jeff Samardzija?
By Bryan Rose
When the season began, the Tampa Bay Rays were reluctant to trade ace David Price. They maintained that stance for the first month or two but given the Rays struggles which now have them sitting at the bottom of the American League, rumors have been swirling suggesting that the Rays are willing to listen on trade offers for Price.
More from Chicago Cubs
- MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- Cubs: Cody Bellinger is putting up come-and-get-me numbers
- Cubs front office deserves an apology for Willson Contreras hysteria
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
That’s bad news for the Chicago Cubs, who are reportedly looking to trade away their ace, Jeff Samardzija.
As the best pitcher on the market before rumors of Price’s potentiality availability became know, the Cubs seemed to be in a good position to acquire significant assets for Samardzija but Price being potentially available now gives teams another option.
Because of that, teams are likely to lower their offers and will move on to other trade options which has Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports suggesting that the Cubs may move quicker to trade Samardzija now.
“The Cubs ended up taking pitchers with eight of their first 10 picks, and figure to target additional pitching in any deal for right-hander Jeff Samardzija. However, they might not want to wait long to move Samardzija, especially now that the Rays are virtually certain to entertain offers for left-hander David Price.”
To make matters worse for the Cubs, both Samardzija and Price are signed through next season so they don’t have much of a contractual advantage over the Rays which they could sell interested teams upon.
Of note, Rosenthal suggests that it might be in the Cubs best interest to attempt a trade for Price (while keeping Samardzija), though that seems to be nothing but pure speculation at this point.