Oakland A’s Trade Jeff Samardzija To Chicago White Sox In 6-Player Deal

The Chicago White Sox have acquired Jeff Samardzija in a six-player trade with the Oakland A’s.

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For weeks there have been rumors suggesting the Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox were working on a trade that would send ace pitcher Jeff Samardzija to the Windy City in exchange for a collection of prospects.

Today that deal has finally been agreed upon as Samardzija, who previously played for the Chicago Cubs, will be heading back to Illinois though this time will be pitching in the American League.

In addition to Jeff Samardzija, the Oakland Athletics will also trade pitcher Michael Ynoa to the Chicago White Sox for for infielder Marcus Semien, pitcher Chris Bassitt, catcher Josh Phegley and first baseman Rangel Ravelo.

It was a short a stint for Samardzija in Oakland, who acquired the pitcher during the 2013 trade deadline and hoped he and Jon Lester would form a formiddable 1-2 punch going into the postseason. That didn’t work out as planned though and now both arms have left the A’s (Lester via free agency) who are reloading with young talent.

As for the Chicago White Sox, Samardzija will be leaving the spacious O.co and heading to the White Sox’s U.S. Cellular Field which is known for being more hitter friendly. Still, Jeff Samardzija pitched his entire career at Wrigley Field before being traded to Oakland last season, one of the most unfriendly pitcher stadiums in baseball.

Currently 29-years-old, Jeff Samardzija should slide into the White Sox’s number two starter role behind Chris Sale and give Chicago one of the better rotations in the American League.

Samardzija posted an elite 2.99 ERA last season, striking out 202 batters and walking 43 in 219⅔ innings. His numbers increased slightly with the Oakland A’s, though his transition to the American League did not look as challenging as it has for some before him.

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