Chalk up yet another player the Boston Red Sox are interested in this offseason. The latest is Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who is also garnering interest from other teams across the league.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox appear to be a suitable trade partner for the Athletics. After trading away Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays, general manager Billy Beane is likely looking for another power hitter to replace their best player, but Oakland has a number of other needs.
"Numerous teams are trying to obtain the righthander, including the Red Sox, according to a team source," writes Cafardo. "Samardzija is 29 and can become a free agent in 2016. GM Billy Beane is fielding offers as he is in a trade frenzy trying to re-create his contending team. The Red Sox have all the pieces Beane would want, including young pitching and middle infielders."
Young pitching could be an interest of Beane's, but the Athletics are in much greater need of a middle infielder. They just acquired starters Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman from the Blue Jays, who are considered to be MLB-ready, so Oakland is probably looking for a shortstop or a second baseman. Jed Lowrie's free agency leaves a hole at shortstop and they have no definite answer at second base with Eric Sogard as the top option on the depth chart.
Might Beane try to get shortstop Xander Bogaerts or second baseman Mookie Betts in a package deal for Samardzija? The right-hander's trade value is perhaps the highest it's ever been after his 2014 campaign, during which he amassed a 2.99 ERA and 1.065 WHIP in 33 starts with the Cubs and A's. He's also arbitration-eligible this offseason, which means if acquired in a trade, he could potentially work out a contract extension with his new team.
Oakland's best chance might be with Betts because the 22-year-old was moved to the outfield since Dustin Pedroia currently occupies the second base position and it'll probably stay that way for some time. With Betts in the outfield, Boston has no room for him since Ramirez will be in left, Yoenis Cespedes/Rusney Castillo will be in center and Shane Victorino will probably be in right field for 2015. In 52 games with the Red Sox in 2014, Betts slashed .291/.368/.444 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and seven stolen bases.
It's probable that Betts has been involved in other trade talks because the Red Sox have been looking to ship one of their many outfielders. Besides Cespedes, a number of MLB clubs are probably interested in Betts because of his youth and ability to play multiple positions. However, it's unknown if Boston is willing to part ways with him.
It's not very farfetched to think about because their starting rotation is in dire need of help and it wouldn't be too big of a loss to surrender a young talent for an established starting pitcher.
But if the Red Sox really want Samardzija they might have to give up more than they're comfortable with. We saw Beane squeeze four quality players out of the Toronto Blue Jays for Josh Donaldson, and now Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes it could be the same deal with Samardzija.
"A team source confirmed the [White Sox] have explored trade talks with the A's but wouldn't categorize it as anything imminent. As much as they like him, they know the A's are going to demand a lot in return, especially with the lack of affordable starters on the free-agent market."
The Atlanta Braves are reportedly interested as well. They look like the best landing spot for Samardzija because the A's could potentially get a power hitter in return (Justin Upton or Evan Gattis), although not much has developed on that front since early Saturday.
But now things are really interesting since Boston has jumped into the race and possess a lot of pieces the Athletics could use for next season and beyond.
