Oakland A’s could deal ‘one or both’ of Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir

Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics have been busy reshaping their roster, having already completed a number of trades this offseason, but the club hardly seems done. The team has multiple remaining trade options on the roster and some rival executives believe, according to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, that the A’s could very likely move “at least one, maybe both” of Jeff Samardzija and Scott Kazmir.

Samardzija’s name has already been appearing in trade rumors since the season concluded. He’s projected to earn just north of $10 million this upcoming season and will reach free agency at year’s end. The A’s are unlikely to sign him to a long term deal, given their financial limitations, and their best opportunity to move the right-hander may very well be this offseason. Samardzija is hardly the only available arm on the market, however, so there’s no certainty that happens.

The Chicago White Sox have emerged as a favorite to land Samardzija, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The fit is an obvious one. Samardzija spent the bulk of his career pitching in Chicago (for the Cubs) prior to being dealt to Oakland last July. The White Sox are known to be seeking a strong right-hander to work into their rotation, balancing things out with left-handers Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and eventually, Carlos Rodon.

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Samardzija pitched to a 2.99 ERA, 1.065 WHIP, and 1.8 BB/9 in 219.2 IP between the Cubs and A’s in what was easily his best all-around season to date.

It’s not out of the question to think that Kazmir could be moved as well. He’ll earn $13 million this year and will also be a free agent at season’s end, but he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career. The left-hander won a career high 15 games in 2014, posting a 3.55 ERA and 1.161 WHIP while throwing 190 IP – the first time he’d even approached the 200 IP mark since 2007.