Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics made a move to acquire two young pitchers to bolster the rotation. Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel were both being wasted with the Chicago Cubs. Now on a winning team, both pitchers’ fantasy values increase greatly.
Many teams were looking to trade for Samardzija because of his excellent numbers, but the A’s were the team to snag him. In 83 games as a starting pitcher, he posted a 21-36 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.296 WHIP. His ERA was over 3.50 in his first two seasons as a starter, but has since calmed down to a 2.83 ERA in 17 starts this season.
He made his first start with the A’s on Sunday and earned his third win of the season, first with the A’s, after a wonderful performance. He lasted seven innings, giving up just four hits, one walk and one earned run. The A’s now have another ace to help Scott Kazmir lead the team to the playoffs.
Joining Samardzija is Hammel, a nine-year veteran. He is currently riding a two-game win streak and the A’s will use him in the middle of the rotation. He’s given up two runs in each of his last three starts.
Hammel is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.021 WHIP and 8.5 K/9, all career highs. He will make his A’s debut on Wednesday against the struggling offense of the San Francisco Giants. Hammel has made five career starts at AT&T Park, and have held Giants hitters to a .234 batting average. The way the Giants are playing, the numbers are in Hammel’s favor.
Currently Samardzija is owned in 100 percent and Hammel is owned in 94 percent of ESPN.com leagues. If you owned either one of the two and have suffered through the lack of run support, then you must be jumping with joy. The move to Oakland will help the win potential of both pitchers. The A’s have scored the most runs in all of baseball, yet the team plays in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks.
Samardzija and Hammel will have a great rest of 2014 in both real and fantasy baseball.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
