Jon Heyman Starts Jeff Samardzija-Yankees Rumors Following Luis Severino Injury
By Brady Williams
With Luis Severino being sidelined for 14-18 months due to Tommy John Surgery, the New York Yankees need help on the mound. With no word from the front office yet, more than a few fans are getting antsy trying to figure out who could possibly be brought in to provide a boost.
In MLB Network insider Jon Heyman's mind, however, the man for the job may be on the opposite side of the country. Heyman tweeted that he thinks San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija could be the right fit in the South Bronx.
Jeff Samardzija is a name that makes sense for Yankees, and there’s a link. Yankees exec Jim Hendry as Cubs GM brought Samardzija to Chicago. But for now Yankees insist they are staying internal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 28, 2020
The rumor's been gestating for a few days now, but Heyman's endorsement of the idea gives some credibility to all of the talk -- particularly with Shark's connection to Jim Hendry, the former Cubs front office boss who now serves as special assistant to Yankee GM Brian Cashman.
Whether the speculation holds any water cannot yet be known, but Samardzija took a lighthearted approach when asked about a possible trade by The Athletic.
Jeff Samardzija is amused that his name is already coming up in Yankees trade rumors. “Oh yeah. Just give me No.2 and don’t make me cut my hair.”
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) February 26, 2020
Trades can always be a hairy situation, but with Samardzija's experience and relatively low salary demands given recent performances, it could very well be the perfect fit for the Bronx Bombers.