While the Red Sox have entered into the group of teams interested in picking up Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija one team who has left the race is the Braves.
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms that the Braves and Athletics have not had any recent discussions about a trade involving Samardzija. The Braves and Athletics had been linked due to the Braves previous interest in Samardzija and a surplus of outfielders. While they are still expected to trade either Justin Upton or Evan Gattis it does not appear that either will be heading to the Bay Area in 2015.
Told that there have not been any recent trade discussions between #Braves and A's.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) November 30, 2014
Samardizja is probably a backup plan for the Red Sox who have been trying hard to get back former starter Jon Lester or trade for Phillies starter Cole Hamels.
Set to hit free agency at the end of the 2015 season Samardzija is coming off his best year in which he posted a 2.99 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP across 219 2/3 innings of work.
Unless a deal can be worked out for an extension it is hard to believe that anyone would trade substantial pieces for a player on a one-year contract.
