With David Price, Blue Jays Made the Right Choice

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Jul 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A multiple-exposure sequence of Chicago White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Samardzija

The Blue Jays were linked to The Shark quite a bit, but the White Sox decided that they were going to keep him. How did that work out? Well, right now, they’re 16.5 games out of the AL Central race and 6.5 out of the Wild Card. So, not so well. That is the risk you take when you have to decide on your future with two months of baseball left.

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays /

Toronto Blue Jays

In August, Samardzija threw 33 innings and amassed an ERA of 8.82. It was, by far, his worst month of the season. 163 batters left relatively happy with their showing. Can you blame them? The collective line of .324/.401/.604 sure is nice…for a hitter. August saw The Shark’s command allude him as his walk rate went up to 8% after sitting around 4% all season.

September has been marginally better for him. In 13 innings, his ERA is at 5.54. But, his WHIP is still uncomfortable at 1.46. And, his FIP is enough to scare small children: 6.14. His fly ball rate has jumped to 44.2% in September and nearly 50% of contact is being pulled. Not a good ccombination.

Samrdzija is set to be a free agent in 2016. And, he’ll have lots of suitors. But, considering his post Trade Deadline performance, he’s one rental the Blue Jays did well to avoid. And, he hasn’t done much to help his case as a free agent. If they do like him, his price tag may have taken a hit.

Next: Texas Trade Would Not Have Worked