Sox might be after Samardzija

The White Sox already have made two fairly significant upgrades this off-season, signing free-agent relief pitcher Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract and free-agent designated hitter/first baseman Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million deal.

If you believe the trade rumor that gained some legs Saturday, the Sox could be on the verge of a major addition. According to multiple reports, the Oakland Athletics are preparing to trade Jeff Samardzija, and the White Sox are a possible destination.

The Sox have an obvious need for a quality right-handed starting pitcher to drop in between left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, and Samardzija fits that profile.

In 17 starts for the Cubs last season, Samardzija was a hard-luck 2-7 with a 2.83 ERA. Traded to Oakland on July 5, the Valparaiso, Indiana, native was 5-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 16 starts for the A's.

While he turns 30 on Jan. 23, Samardzija primarily was used out of the bullpen in his first four seasons with the Cubs before moving to the rotation in 2012.

He would be an ideal fit for the White Sox, but that doesn't mean Samardzija is heading back to Chicago.

As many as 10 teams are believed to be in trade talks for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound pitcher, who also was a standout wide receiver at Notre Dame.

Eligible for arbitration this winter and expected to command a $9.5 million salary, Samardzija is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2015 season and has said he'd like to test the market.

If true, Samardzija looks like a probable one-year rental.

Shortstop Tim Anderson, a top White Sox prospect and heir apparent to shortstop Alexei Ramirez, is rumored to be Oakland's top target in a Samardzija trade.

The A's would likely want even more young talent, so the Sox undoubtedly would want to have some sort of contract extension on the table before moving on Samardzija.

In 99 career starts with the Cubs and Athletics, Samardzija is 26-42 with a 3.86 ERA.