CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox made a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who became a free agent for the first time in his career at the completion of the 2015 season.
The right-hander was acquired in a trade last winter from the Oakland Athletics to be the rotation’s right-handed compliment to staff ace Chris Sale.
After a slow start, Samardzija seemed to find a groove, highlighted by 10 consecutive starts of at least seven innings by the end of July. It was rumored that Samardzija could be traded to a contender, but went nowhere as the July 31 non-waiver deadline passed.