The Blue Jays are 50-51, eight games behind the hot New York Yankees for the race to win the AL East Division title, but having allowed more runs than all but three teams in the American League. Most baseball experts predicted the front office would land some help on the mound and not another run producer in the lineup.
With just a few short days until the July 31 deadline, rumors are still circulating around the club on potential moves and this time they circle around a starting pitcher. The Toronto Sun has reported that team has made contact with the Chicago White Sox about 30-year-old Jeff Samardzija.
The veteran is 8-5 this season with a solid 3.94 ERA and despite having career numbers of just 44 wins, compared to 53 losses, he pitched mostly for low talent clubs in his time in the Majors and no team with the offensive production of the Jays.
Samardzja is no stranger to trade rumors with the right-hand pitcher seemingly on the market in each of the last three years. With three solid pitches and above-average speed on his fast ball, the veteran is just the type of pitcher that could help any club in the playoff race and would make a solid starter in the post season.
There is another name that is popping up in reports on social media. David Price of the Detroit Tigers and while the lefty is an experienced and proven winner, it now appears that upwards of five teams in the MLB have their sights on the hard throwing lefty, creating a bidding war and one that Toronto would have a hard time winning.
