The Giants have contacted the New York Yankees to let them know starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija is available, according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Yankees are one of eight teams the Giants are allowed to trade Samardzija to.
The problem is that Samardzija, 33, is currently owed $46 million through the 2020 season, and that “The Shark” has posted 6.42 ERA in nine games this season, while dealing with nagging inflammation in his right shoulder. Though the Yankees are in the market for starting pitching, it’s unclear what they’d be willing to give up for the struggling Samardzija.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Samardzija being a possible candidate to be moved at the deadline. Andrew Baggarly wrote earlier this month that the Giants could look to trade Samardzija to a team like the Los Angeles Angels, who are also in the market for another starter.
Even if Samardzija was pitching better, the emergence of youngsters Dereck Rodriguez and Andrew Suarez have made the veteran expendable. In seven starts this season, Rodriguez has posted a 3.09 ERA, and hasn’t given up more than five earned runs in his last five starts. Suarez has posted a 3.57 ERA in 15 starts and hasn’t given up more than three runs in his last six.
