White Sox Poll: What has been the best recent move?

Sep 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 9-16: White Sox gain their Big 3

This seven-day period was Christmas come early for all White Sox fans, and it was maybe the biggest moment of all for the 2014 calendar year.

It began with the Dec. 9 trade for right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija, where the White Sox also gained RHP Michael Ynoa for Chris Bassitt, Josh Phegley, Rangel Ravelo and Marcus Semien.

Samardzija is in the final year of his contract, so the White Sox are going to do everything possible to win and sign Samardzija to a long-term deal.

The new RHP for the White Sox played for both the Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs in ’14. In his time with both teams, Samardzija pitched 219.2 innings, where he finished with a 2.99 ERA with 202 strikeouts.

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Samardzija’s ERA in ’14 would have been the second-best ERA on the White Sox in ’14, as Chris Sale had an ERA of 2.17 with 208 strikeouts.

The next day, the White Sox signed closer David Robertson to a four-year contract, finally giving the White Sox an actual closer they can depend on. Robertson’s deal is for four years, $46 million. In ’15, Robertson will earn $10 million.

In ’14 with the New York Yankees, Robertson finished with 39 saves (more than the closer by committee the White Sox had in ’14). Robertson has pitched 60-plus innings the past five seasons, including 64.1 last season, where he struck out 96 batters. In ’11 he had a 100-strikeout season in 66.2 innings.

Dec. 16 was the surprise signing for the White Sox with left fielder Melky Cabrera joining the Good Guys. Cabrera’s deal is for three years, $42 million with the LF earning $13 million in ’15.

Cabrera is coming off a season where he batted .301 with 16 home runs, 35 doubles and 73 RBIs. He’s a major upgrade over the left fielder of 2014 in Dayan Viciedo, especially in the field.