From Jon Heyman’s latest at CBSSports.com …
SAN DIEGO — The A’s are close to a deal involving Jeff Samardzija. It appears likely he’d be headed to the White Sox.
There was speculation the Red Sox were involved in talks, as well, but the South Side team, which also happens to be Samardzija’s hometown team, has been the most interested and appears like the likely winner.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports says the A’s front office has been eyeing White Sox infielder Marcus Semien, who could take over at shortstop next year in Oakland with Jed Lowrie departing as a free agent. Multiple prospects would also be headed the A’s way.
Semien has batted just .240/.293/.380 in 326 plate appearances at the major league level since debuting in 2013, but the 24-year-old had a cool .266/.368/.491 slash line and 19 homers in 115 games at Triple-A.
Samardzija is entering his contract year, so this is another sign that the White Sox are going for it in 2015. The 29-year-old former Notre Dame wide receiver had an outstanding 2.99 ERA, 1.065 WHIP, and 202/43 K/BB ratio in 219 2/3 innings (33 starts) this past season between the Cubs and Athletics.
The #WhiteSox and #Athletics agreed to the parameters of Samardzjjia deal several days ago
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2014