White Sox reportedly nearing trade for Jeff Samardzija - MLB

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

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BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”