Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson coming to White Sox
After going 73-89 and finishing fourth in the American League Central last year following a 63-99 last-place finish in 2013, the White Sox — apparently — are back.
Early Tuesday morning, the Sox reportedly made two major moves, acquiring starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics in a trade for infielder Marcus Semien and other prospects.
The White Sox also reportedly signed free-agent closer David Robertson to a four-year, $46 million contract.
A Sox spokesman would neither confirm nor deny either report early Tuesday morning.
Assuming the information is accurate, the White Sox stack up as a team to be reckoned with in 2015.
Samardzija is the elite right-handed starter they have been looking for to pitch between left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.
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.
The haul for Oakland would have been much higher, but Samardzija is eligible for free agency at the end of the upcoming season and could be a one-year rental for the White Sox.
Robertson is the closer the Sox have been looking for, and the right-hander comes at a very high price after saving 39 games in 44 opportunities with the Yankees last season while going 4-5 with a 3.08 ERA.
From 2011-13, Robertson was Mariano Rivera's primary setup man in New York, and he never had an ERA over 2.67.
Even after signing left-handed reliever Zach Duke and designated hitter/first baseman Adam LaRoche earlier in the off-season, general manager Rick Hahn said he still was looking for more help.
In Samardzija and Robertson, Hahn shows he's not messing around.
Earlier Monday, Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams hinted of possible big moves.
“Listen, our dreams are to get back to the World Series and win the World Series,” Williams told reporters at the winter meetings in San Diego.
“We've accomplished some things very quickly here in the last few years to put back together what we think is a strong nucleus, and with a few pieces here or there we'll be back in the mix.”