Report: Athletics not offering Jeff Samardzija in trades

The Oakland Athletics are reportedly targeting hitters in trades. Previous reports indicated the A's could be offering right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija.

The Oakland Athletics are reportedly targeting hitters in trades this offseason.

Previous reports Friday night indicated the A's could be offering right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija, but according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Samardzija is not included in any deals Oakland is discussing.

Sources: Trade #Athletics are discussing does NOT involve Samardzija.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) 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

Rosenthal also reports that while most teams have several trade offers being discussed at this point in the offseason, rumored A's deals are general manager Billy Beane "re-working the club."

Earlier Friday night, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Athletics were reportedly close to a "fairly significant" deal involving Samardzija.

#Athletics would be getting back several pieces, and they're targeting hitters, an ML source tells me.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

No indications from the #Athletics side that Samardjzija is involved in deal but sounds like something is certainly brewing.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 29, 2014

Oakland finished third in the American League last season with 4.50 runs per game, but 12th with a .244 team batting average. The A's finished second in the AL West at 88-74, losing to the Kansas City Royals in the AL Wild Card Game.

• 2014 MLB Free-Agent Tracker

Oakland acquired Samardzija, along with right-hander Jason Hammel, in a July trade with Chicago Cubs. Samardzija went 5-6 in 16 starts with the A's, posting a 3.14 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 12 walks. For the season, he finished with a 2.99 ERA, 202 strikeouts and 43 walks in 33 starts.

Already this offseason, the A's signed free-agent designated hitter/first baseman Billy Butler to a three-year, $30 million earlier this month. Oakland also acquired first baseman Ike Davis in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.

- Mike Fiammetta