MLB Trade Rumors 2014: Jeff Samardzija Not Toronto Blue Jays' Prospect

Any hopes of Chicago Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija transferring to the Toronto Blue Jays have been dashed.

Previously, there was a huge possibility that the Blue Jays and Cubs would come to an agreement involving the pitcher. However, the Jays recently showed more interest in acquiring the Cubs' right-handed pitcher Jason Hammel, according to a report by Fox Sports.

Experts generally viewed a trade involving Hammel as a backup plan in case the Jays do not get Samardzija, but they have to exert more effort in putting him in line with Mark Buehrle. Among the other teams looking to get Samardzija like the Red Sox, Rays and Yankees, the Blue Jays also seem to be the most qualified to maximize the ace's strengths.

In a report by the Toronto Sun, ten executives from the Toronto Blue Jays watched Samardzija in the Cubs' game against the Washington Nationals. Other Cubs players were also being scouted on June 28, 2014 such as Jason Hammel, Carlos Villanueva and Darwin Barney. One executive said, "I like Samardzija a lot. But his make up reminds me of Brett Lawrie. He's wound, he will take that Notre Dame football attitude in the mound. That can be good as long as he's under control. That can be bad as a pitcher if he humps up at Yankee Stadium and goes ball four, ball four, ball four." He added, "You don't know what he's going to do in the stretch run. At least I don't."

In the meantime, the demand for Hammel is currently on the rise. The Blue Jays seem intent in acquiring a midrange starter like Hammel compared to Samardzija or Price. Hammel has done a lot of good pitching for the Cubs in the 2014 season. He is 7-5 with an ERA of 2.98 in 16 starts. He allowed 83 hits in 102 2/3 innings. He is 31 years old and right-handed. As the No. 1 team in the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays is searching for a great addition to their other talented players like Buerhle, Josh Johnson and Jose Reyes.

In a Cubbies Crib article, the Jays have to start acting fast or risk losing Hammel and Samardzija to other suitors like the Seattle Mariners. However, there is a risk that should Hammel be picked up, it would only be temporary. The Cubs, on the other hand, would be expecting a good deal out of Hammel, considering his recent improvements.