Which pitcher is most likely traded to the Houston Astros?

4th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Samardzija

With Samardzija on my fantasy baseball team, you would think that I would be begging to get him on the Astros squad. However, because I almost dropped him earlier in the season gives me some hesitation. He seems older than he is, and his control has improved over the past few years. He still averages about 94 MPH on his fastball but is only averaging 7.14 strikeouts per nine innings which is down from his regular 8-9 range, from Fangraphs. He was traded last trade deadline and again in the offseason, one has to wonder how being traded so much affects your pitching.

Pros

• Could be a righty counterpart to Randy Johnson, struggles with his old team and then dominates with the Astros.
• Is a rental player, won’t cost a lot.
• Has improved recently, looking more like the old ‘Shark’.
• Make me learn how to spell his last name.
• I might root for him on my fantasy team more.
• Could be a good person to target in free-agency, so get the upper leg.

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Cons

• He could be overtraded.
• Strikeout numbers declining and ERA rising
• Has struggled bad a times this year, with the way the Angels are playing, no room for error.
• Groundball and flyball percentages are too close to each other.
• 2.2 WAR

My Prediction: 

I think that the ‘Shark’ goes to play with the Yankees, because the Yanks will not have the goods to get the big names. The Yankees will try to get the Cueto’s and Hamel’s, but will settle on Samardzija. I have him a little higher than my blogging peers. They ranked him as the fifth likely to be traded with 31 points.

For more CTH coverage of Jeff Samardzija, click here.

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