BRONX HEARTBREAK: SAMARDZIJA SHIPPED TO OAKLAND

If you know anything about Bleeding Yankee Blue, you know that we are yelling from the rooftops about our starting rotation and when we need to fix it!  We are underwhelmed with guys like Vidal Nuno for instance. Plus, with CC Sabathia now out for the season and Michael Pineda having setback after setback, we could use a big arm.  Now, actually!

We love Jeff Samardzija.  We wanted him in New York.  In fact, we just wrote FOUR PITCHERS THE YANKEES NEED TO CONSIDER RIGHT NOW. In that piece, we mentioned 2 reliable pitchers I would have definitely considered in Yankeeland... Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Both Cubs, both gamers... and now... both gone. Shipped to Oakland in a trade that literally just went down.

According to Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com, " The Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs have agreed on a deal that sends starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland... The centerpiece of the return to the Cubs is top-flight prospect Addison Russell. The Cubs are also getting starting pitcher Dan Straily and outfield prospect Billy McKinney in addition to a player to be named later."

Now I don't know if Yankee brass is dumb or just stupid, or, perhaps they just didn't have the prospects to get Samardzija to New York. But whatever the case, there had been NO indication the entire season that Cashman was willing to even move on a stud like Jeff.  All there was out there were rumors... Why? Why in the world didn't the Yankees go for it?  Were they interested? Could they have gotten him, but did they drag their feet instead?  I don't have the answers, but I am disappointed.

For me personally, it's a heartbreak.  Samardzija would have been a perfect fit in New York.  Now... he's an Athletic... and life goes on I guess.

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