Over the past few weeks the rumor mill has suggested multiple teams that are interest in Chicago Cubs ace pitcher Jeff Samardzija, but we apparently have a new candidate – the Seattle Mariners.
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With a solid staff already anchored by Felix Hernandez, the Seattle Mariners weren’t figured to be players in the Samardzija sweepstakes but apparently they not only have interest in he, but fellow Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel says Jon Heyman.
“The Mariners’ obvious need is hitting help for stars Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in a lineup that ranks near the bottom in OPS. Yet, the two players most connected to Seattle trade talks are pitchers Jeff Samardzija (who they are said to like very much) and Jason Hammel.”
Safeco Field, home to the Seattle Mariners is known to be somewhat of a pitchers park and getting Samardzija out of the Windy City and Wrigley Field into a pitcher friendly stadium would make an already impressive arm that much better. But do the Mariners really feel like mortgaging their farm system for Samardzija? It’s not a matter of money as the Mariners are now one of the more financially free teams in the league (as if you couldn’t tell by the Robinson Cano signing) but given Samardzija still has a year left on his contract, the Cubs are likely to ask for a considerable haul.
There’s no doubt that King Felix and Jeff Samardzija atop the Seattle Mariners rotation would make them a threat in the American League, but the price just might be too hefty when all is said and done.