Cubs sign pitcher Jeff Samardzija

   

When the Cubs picked Notre Dame wide reciever Jeff Samardzija in the 5th round of last year’s MLB draft I had mixed emotions. Sure, he had a 21-6 record in 50 college appearances with Notre Dame as a pitcher. However, it was quite obvious he was going to go back to Notre Dame in the fall to play his senior season of football.

Samardzija decided to exchange the chance to be a first round pick in the NFL draft, to play the sport that he loves. He agreed to a 5 year contract worth 10 million. His deal includes a 2.5 million dollar signing bonus and the Cubs hold options for sixth and seventh seasons. If the Cubs exercise these options, the deal could be worth 16.5 million over 7 years.

Samardzija did pitch a little bit for the Cubs after being drafted, before returning to the Irish. He went a combined 1-2, with a 2.70 era in 7 starts for class A Boise, and Peoria in the Cubs farm system.

Personally I am happy that the Cubs were able to sign this guy, but at the same time he is making quite a bit of money. I don’t blame him for picking baseball considering that in baseball the money is guaranteed for the most part. In football, only the signing bonus is.

He will add a quality arm to the Cubs farm system, and will likely start the season at Class A Daytona. He might move up the farm systems fairly quickly though, considering he is older than most prospects. He will be 22 in 2 days, many prospects in baseball are only 19 when they sign. Still, he has more experience than most pitchers coming into the majors and has already made it clear that he is leaving football behind him.

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