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Jeff Samardzija: Bridge the Atlanta Braves’ Gap to 2017?

By Matthew Schoettler

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Jeff Samardzija is enduring one of his worst seasons as a professional baseball player for the Chicago White Sox, but could that help the Atlanta Braves down the road?

In 2014, Jeff Samardzija produced career-best numbers as he split time between the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics. Samardzija was traded near the deadline last season, because the Chicago Cubs fell out of contention. Billy Beane and the Athletics were looking to stockpile assets to make a run at the 2014 playoffs; however, that idea floundered in the last month of the 2014 season.

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The Chicago Cubs were smart in dealing Jeff Samardzija, along with Jason Hammel, for Athletics’ prized prospect Addison Russell and Billy McKinney (both were previous first round draft picks). Samardzija only had one year remaining on his contract after the 2015 season; thus, the White Sox traded for the pitcher. The Chicago White Sox believed that they would be able to make a run at the playoffs in 2015; however, that vision was ill-fated.

Jeff Samardzija never quite resembled the pitcher he was just one season ago, and he is in the midst of his worst season as a pro. Samardzija finished the 2014 season with a 2.99 ERA and an impressive 3.20 FIP, both considered elite in today’s game. Fast forward to 2015, Samardzija has seen his counting stats balloon, owning a 5.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 4.18 FIP. His 2015 ERA, WHIP, and FIP are all career-worsts as a starter in the MLB.

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With Jeff Samardzija being a free agent at season’s end, he is surely going to take a hit when it comes to contract negotiations. That’s where the Atlanta Braves could be smart in swooping in for the once-ace and see if he can re-establish himself as a prolific pitcher. Before this season, Samardzija was likely eye-balling a massive deal probably in the 7-year, $100 million range; however, he will likely have to temper his expectations and settle with a 2-3 year deal.

The Atlanta Braves’ rotation is a mess in 2015, and it does not seem that it will be fixed in just one year’s time, so Jeff Samardzija could make the transition back to the National League and find himself with the Braves. John Hart has made it no secret that he intends on competing at a high level by the 2017 season; therefore, could Samardzija be an answer for the short-term future in Atlanta?

By signing the veteran to a two-year deal, the Atlanta Braves could be in a situation that would allow the team to not have to rush their young arms to the Bigs. Moreover, Jeff Samardzija could bring a veteran presence to the clubhouse that could help transition a rebuilding team into a contender. Although Samardzija is having the worst season of his career, do not look to far into it.

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Samardzija possesses a career 4.10 ERA, but it should be noted that he was forced to play for a struggling Chicago Cubs’ franchise for the majority of his career. His 3.82 career FIP paints the bigger picture at the type of pitcher he could be. Also, with the Chicago White Sox this season, Samardzija posted his first 10-win season of his career. Look for him to rebound in the coming seasons, and he should be looked at as an asset to any rotation that signs the 6′ 5” monster.

Samardzija could easily transform back into the pitch of old and provide a nice boost to a struggling rotation; additionally, the Atlanta Braves need help in their pitching rotation. Jeff Samardzija is an “inning eater” and would also provide some relief to the bullpen by going deep into his starts. Bringing Jeff Samarzija to the Braves makes sense; however, does John Hart believe so?

Next: Cameron Maybin: Potential Trade Value Diminishing?

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