Levine: Chris Sale, Jeff Samardzija Aim To Dominate
By Bruce Levine-
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The White Sox could have two of the more dominant pitchers in baseball going one-two in their rotation. Ace left-hander Chris Sale and newcomer Jeff Samardzija could easily put opponents in short-term slumps to start any series.
The strikeout-to-walk numbers are impressive places to start for both power pitchers. Sale had a 5.33-to-1 strikeout-to-walk factor in 2014. Samardzija came in at 4.7-to-1, by far the best ratio of his career.
Having reported to spring training now, both pitchers seemed thrilled to be a part of what could be an intimidating pitching staff in 2015.
"There was some good energy this offseason," Sale said in regards to the additions of Samardzija and five other veteran players. "It was fun to watch as you are working out and your team is making a push for it. You start pushing yourself a little more too."
Samardzija believes working alongside one of the game's best pitchers will only help him improve.
"I have tons of admiration for Chris," Samardzija said. "Having been in the same city (with the Cubs previously), I got to see all the highlights. You don't see anything but success from that guy. He comes out and does his job every day and has fun doing it. You love that competitive spirit and that fire. No matter what the situation is, he takes that ball and pitches."
It's also important to remember left-hander Jose Quintana, the No. 3 pitcher who has registered quality numbers but, like Samardzija, hasn't had the run support to post a gaudy win-loss record.
Sale, Samardzija and Quintana could help the White Sox defense by striking out 33 to 40 percent of the outs they induce. The defense lacked in 2014.
"We have the potential with the rotation to win a game every day," Samardzija said. "When you're not in a mismatch before the first pitch is thrown going into that game, it's very important. When you look at our starters from top to bottom, we will feel like we have a great chance of winning that game. To go further than that, when you have a pitcher who is a Cy Young candidate, it adds a little bit more."
White Sox management would love to sign Samardzija to a long-term contract much like they've done with Sale and Quintana. Samardzija is set to become a free agent at season's end, and Chicago will work on an extension before then.
"We have had Jeff for only three months, but every positive thing we heard about him has rung true," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We could not have asked anything more from him. As for Chris, since he set foot on campus in 2010, he has met every one of our expectations. He is totally devoted to being a team guy and helping us win another championship here."
On Friday, neither Hahn nor Samardzija had any news about a long-term contract being close. Hahn confirmed that signing the 30-year-old Samardzija to a long-term deal would be a priority for the organization this season.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
