A day after Ken Rosenthal reported the Diamondbacks would rather revisit talks with the Cubs about Jeff Samardzija than sign either Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana, Jon Heyman and Bruce Levine reported the Jays are interested again in trading for Jeff Samardzija.
The teams that were interested in signing Masahiro Tanaka are scrambling to fill out their starting rotations with Spring Training just around the corner. A.J. Burnett deciding he would pitch this season has given teams another option, at least those near his home in the Maryland area.
The Cubs’ front office would like to sign Jeff Samardzija to a long-term extension. Samardzija has said on multiple occasions he would prefer to stay and win with the Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer know what Samardzija is looking for in terms of contract and commitment.
The Blue Jays are looking to add at least one starting pitcher and could sign either Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez without losing either one of their first round draft picks (both picks are protected). But according to Jon Heyman, Alex Anthopoulos remains in contact with the Cubs about Jeff Samardzija as well as Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez in hopes the asking price would drop.
The Cubs reportedly asked for a package of Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman for Samardzija earlier in the winter … and the Blue Jays’ GM found the cost to acquire Samardzija out of his price range.
The Cubs are looking to sign at least one free agent starter before camp begins that can give them “innings.” Paul Maholm and Jason Hammel have been connected to the Cubs multiple times in recent weeks.
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