JEFF SAMARDZIJA IS BURNING BRIDGES

1st question for Samardzija is why White Sox fans are better than Cubs fans. "Well, they actually pay attention to games, right?"
— Colleen Kane (@ChiTribKane) January 24, 2015

Though it could be argued that some Sox fans are only paying attention to the fact A.J. Pierzynski is no longer on the team AND THEY WANT ANSWERS, DAMN IT.

And we've got the annual AJ Pierzynski question. #SoxFest2015
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) January 24, 2015

Never change, you beautiful morons.

LET'S SEND DAYAN VICIEDO TO BALTIMORE NOW

I love dogs. I own a dog. Dogs are great.

I also have a friend who is married to a woman who works at an animal shelter, and every time I look at my Facebook feed there's an update from her about some dog that needs a home. This woman, bless her heart, is constantly trying to find these mangy looking mutts a place to live. It's a noble cause, but it's also incredibly annoying because it's not just dogs that need homes that she's posting. It's basically any damn dog she comes across ends up flooding my Facebook.

She makes me hate dogs I've never even met. Maybe I subconsciously hate her and I don't know it, and this hatred is manifesting through the dogs. I don't know. All I know is that I want to adopt these dogs and then release them into the local forest preserve.

Run free, Fido! Get back to your roots.

So why am I telling you this?

IS SEATTLE A MATCH FOR DAYAN VICIEDO?

As sure as the sun will rise in the east and set in the west the Seattle Mariners will be interested in trading for Dayan Viciedo. Like Captain Ahab in his never-ending search for that damned white whale, the Mariners have long been connected to Viciedo. They've wanted him for years.

Time and time again you hear of rumors connecting the Mariners to Viciedo, but it never actually materializes. The White Sox were never ready to give up on Viciedo before, at least not at a price Seattle was willing to agree to. But things have changed with the Sox this winter. On Tuesday the Sox let it be known that Viciedo was available. They've seen enough.

And it seems the White Sox are much better anglers than Captain Ahab could ever hope to be, for their bait had barely made a ripple in the water before the Mariners had shown up.

WHITE SOX TO GO AFTER EVAN LONGORIA?

It's been a fun winter already, but apparently things could get more interesting.

The Score's Bruce Levine was on the Mully and Hanley Show Wednesday morning, and during his appearance he speculated about the possibility of another big trade for the White Sox. According to Levine, he believes there'd be mutual interest between the Sox and the Rays in doing a deal for Evan Longoria.

Which, if true, well excuse me I need to go fan myself for a few minutes.

What's not clear is if Levine is just pulling this idea out of his ass, or if he's seen or heard any possible chatter between the two sides, even if they're extremely preliminary discussions. All I know is that I found out about the talk this morning, and now I can't stop thinking about it.

Evan Longoria has taken over my mind.

TIME TO GET BACK TO ENJOYING OURSELVES

The excitement is back. I've sat here at my laptop for a while now getting ready to write a post breaking down the moves the White Sox have made, but it all feels so secondary. I've already shared my thoughts on the money they're giving David Robertson, and they haven't changed.

I don't like spending that much on a closer. Never have, never will. But I can live with it because I understand it.

As for the Samardzija trade, how can any reasonable fan be anything other than thrilled? You get a great starter you can slot between Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, and you don't have to give up any top prospects to do it. If the Sox can't sign Shark long term you get the draft pick when he leaves next winter. A draft pick that replaces the second round pick you lose by signing Robertson.

There. That's the analysis. Let's get to the emotions.

MARCUS SEMIEN IS THE CENTER OF THE SAMARDZIJA TALKS

I don't know if the White Sox are going to end up with Jeff Samardzija or not, but if what Jeff Passan tweeted earlier tonight is true, it's nice to know that the price isn't getting insane.

Sources: If the White Sox do deal for Jeff Samardzija, return would be Marcus Semien and prospects. A's would slot Semien in at shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014

White Sox reticent to give up high-level prospects because Samardzija under contract for only one year. Anderson, Montas may not be in play.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014

I'd be more than happy giving up Marcus Semien and a couple other guys that aren't top prospects like Tim Anderson for Samardzija.

DAVID ROBERTSON IS EXPENSIVE

It was a pleasant surprise to turn on the computer Monday morning, the first day of the winter meetings, and see that the White Sox were already being connected to some big names. The USA Today said that the White Sox were still the "frontrunner" for Jeff Samardzija, and then there was the New York Post saying the Sox were interested in David Robertson.

I don't feel the need to write about a possible Samardzija trade just yet because there are simply too many variables. I'd much rather wait until it actually happens (if it happens), because then I can actually evaluate it. I like the idea of adding a pitcher like Samardzija to the rotation, but with the looming question of his free agency, plus whatever the cost would be to get him, it seems silly to speculate wildly before anything happens.

I have feelings about Robertson, though, because all it takes to get him is money. A lot of money. And that's where my opinions on the matter come in pretty clearly.

But first, this is what the New York Post had to say.

RUMBLINGS OF A SAMARDZIJA DEAL

I'm not sure what to make of it, but on Friday night when there were rumblings of a big trade involving Oakland, Jeff Samardzija's name was mentioned, as were the White Sox as a possible landing place. That wasn't the big deal Oakland pulled off, as it sent Josh Donaldson to Toronto in a deal I didn't understand, but that doesn't mean Oakland is done yet.

Susan Slusser, who covers the Athletics and was the first person to start tweeting about a big trade coming, sent out these tweets as well.

Again, source tells me that #Athletics nearing major deal that involves Samardzija for several players, team targeting hitters.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

I'm told 10 teams have expressed interest in Samardzija; #RedSox and #WhiteSox among them. But he is not in deal as @Ken_Rosenthal says.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

Now, that doesn't mean anything, as it's not a shock that the Sox would at least check in on the availability of Samardzija. But then late Friday night, just before I curled up into bed, this tweet made its way into my timeline.