Houston Astros Rumors: Team should check in on Jeff Samardzija
The Houston Astros have one more day until the waiver trade deadline approaches and I think the team should strongly consider the services of starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija.
It’s no secret that the Houston Astros are looking to beef up their starting pitching rotation as they hit the final stretch before the start of the playoffs and this would be an excellent opportunity for them pluck someone off the waiver. That “someone” could be Jeff Samardzija, you never now.
Jon Heyman reported recently that Samardzija cleared waivers:
samardzija cleared waivers. trades chances unclear, but a few things work against deal. 4 days til deadline. https://t.co/nfSmY77BCU
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 29, 2017
Heyman writes that Samardzija is happy in San Francisco and he does have a specific no-trade trade clause that specifically allows trades to eight teams. Those teams are: the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.
You’ll notice that the Houston Astros aren’t included in that list so it’ll convince heavy coaxing to bring him to the Bayou City. Samardzija is owed $58 million ($18 million per) through the year 2020 to which after then, he’ll be a free agent. His cost is reasonable but it certainly depends on what the Giants want for him — likely top prospects — and if Jeff Luhnow could convince Samardzija to waive his no-trade clause.
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Doing a deal for this guy may be more trouble than it’s worth as I’m still dead-set on this team pursue the services of Justin Verlander. With a few shakes in-between, he has been rock-solid sine the All-Star break. But prying him away from the Tigers would be just as complicated as the want to Earth, Moon and stars moved to let him go.
Samardzija has struggled from the bump all season with an ERA hovering close to five but does have 175 strikeouts to 26 walks, which shows that he is able to chew innings well and work through the lineup.
In fact, he pitched a complete shutout game against the San Diego Padres, fanning five and allowing three hits in the Giants 3-0 win this past Tuesday. He just needed 102 pitches to do it. That’s very Dallas Keuchel-esque if you ask me!
Although there’s a slim chance we’d be able to acquire him, the Houston Astros at least need to check the Giants’ and Samardzija’s pulse on the situation. We’ll have to see about this.
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Samardzija, 32, has a 9-12 record, has posted a 4.43 ERA, has given up 87 earned runs with a 3.44 FIP, 1.17 WHIP through 176.2 innings pitched and 27 starts.
Go Astros.