SAMARDZIJA HEADS TO CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE
The Chicago White Sox acquired pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa from the Oakland Athletics for infielder Marcus Semien, catcher Josh Phegley, pitcher Chris Bassitt and infielder Rangel Ravelo.
What does it give the Chicago White Sox
The White Sox did very well here in landing Samardzija, whose best work in Major League Baseball has come in the city of Chicago (with the Cubs). Now he moves to the South side of the Windy City, where the ChiSox desperately need right-handed starting pitching. He should slot into the No. 2 starter role behind ace lefty {P Chris Sale} and provide quality innings for a squad that figures to be much better in 2015. Ynoa is a major project from the Dominican Republic who was signed at age 16 but has yet to make his mark in the minors. He's an intriguing throw-in here.
What does it give the Oakland Athletics
The rebuilding plan continues in Oakland, as Samardzija is just the latest quality member of the A's to be sent packing. The key player in return is Semien, a quality infield prospect who could win the starting shortstop job in 2015. He may settle in at second base (or even third base) if other moves are made to acquire a shortstop, but he's the centerpiece here. Semien could become a major contributor in '15. Phegley adds catching depth and might wind up the backup or third stringer next season, while Bassitt is another under-the-radar starter candidate for Oakland. Ravelo is a potential bat who won't be a factor right away.
Fantasy impact
Samardzija didn't pitch as well in Oakland as he did with the Cubs, so perhaps a return to the Windy City is just what the doctor ordered. That said, he needs to prove the issue isn't the diversity between the National and American leagues, because he remains in the AL with the Pale Hose. Semien could be the biggest winner in this deal, provided he wins a starting job somewhere in Oakland's infield (and is able to handle the position defensively, because there are fewer questions about his bat). Bassitt could be a dark horse in 2015, while Phegley won't amount to much from a fantasy standpoint as long as both {P Derek Norris} and {P John Jaso} (and to a lesser extent the versatile {P Stephen Vogt}) are around in Oakland. Ravelo has some keeper appeal, while Ynoa is still a major long shot to ever reach the bigs.
