MLB Rumors: Jeff Samardzija scouted by Giants, Blue Jays
By Bryan Rose
The on-again, off-again interest of the San Francisco Giants in pitcher Jeff Samardzija appears to be back on as according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, high-level scouts for the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays watched Samardzija’s most recent start against the Miami Marlins.
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Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs ace, Samardzija didn’t have his best stuff (which has been the case recently despite a hot start to the season) and had to battle through six-innings while giving up three runs, though only two were earned.
Regardless, the fact that the Giants sent a scout to Florida says all you need to know about their interest in the available arm and also says plenty about their confidence in their pitching staff, despite running roughshod on the rest of the National League through the first third of the season.
Likely unhappy with the performances of Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain, the Giants know sending one to the bullpen may not be the best strategy but if it gets Samardzija to the Bay, it might be a price worth risking.
As for the Blue Jays, they continue to search for a power arm in the tough American League East and few are more powerful than Samardzija, who they’ve reportedly had interest in for some time. The Cubs would probably prefer to ship him to the American League and given Toronto’s solid stock of young assets, they likely have enough pieces to make a deal possible, assuming the Cubs asking price is reasonable.
Both teams will likely have hefty competition in their pursuit however as multiple teams are said to have interest in the former Notre Dame wide receiver.