Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein sat down last night with free agent righty Jeff Samardzija, according to a report from Phil Rogers of MLB.com (via Twitter). The former Cubs, Athletics, and White Sox hurler flew in from Arizona for the meeting, per Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com (Twitter links).
Chicago has previously been said to have at least some interest in bringing back Samardzija, who was with the organization from 2006 through the middle of 2014. After tantalizing with his promise for years, the 30-year-old emerged as a force with the Cubs in his last season with the team. Samardzija was traded away that summer after he and the club were unable to work out an extension, but there was never a sense that bridges were burned. (And the decision was eminently understandable: he was the key piece in a swap that returned Addison Russell as well as Billy McKinney.)
As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes wrote yesterday in breaking down Samardzija’s free agent case, the sturdy veteran still holds plenty of appeal after a rough 2015. He has the frame and track record to support an expectation of good health and a lot of innings. And scouts and executives are still enamored of his talent and toughness. Of course, signing Samardzija will require the sacrifice of a draft selection since he turned down the White Sox’ qualifying offer.
It’s not yet clear how serious the Cubs are in a reunion, but the team clearly needs pitching. Epstein and co. have frequently been connected to the very top arms available in free agency, but there are a number of avenues that the organization could take to building out its staff. Adding a durable arm with upside (like Samardzija) could certainly represent a component of the team’s strategy, possibly occurring along with the addition of another pitcher via trade or free agency. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that the club’s top baseball decisionmakers have suggested recently that multiple major free agent investments are somewhat unlikely, suggesting at least that there are some clear limits to the team’s spending plans this winter.
Maybe a one year contract for less that the QO he left on the southside? I hope this was just Epstien doing his due diligence.
He doesn’t want a 1 year deal and doubt Cubs and other teams will give up their draft picks for just 1 year.
yeah the Q.O makes me think this is something along the lines of 3/50
Why would Samardzija do that?
Why would he take less then the QO he just turned down in the first place
If he isn’t signed in March, maybe.
Ha!
There is value to be had here. Everyone expects the Cubs to spend big on Price, and they might, but the reality is that the Cubs need 2-3 quality starters to add to Arrieta and Lester. The cost of Price might prevent them from covering the 4-5 spot in the rotation… Samardzija does fit the bill as a quality middle of the order starter who should come in around $16 mil per year (or about $14-15 million per less than Price.) It’s more than worth exploring if you’re the Cubs.
If they sign Shark they would have both him and Hammel back do the A’s get Russell back? lol
I’m not sold on Shark being more than a 3. Maybe I’m wrong?
He wouldn’t have to be more than that for the Cubs, though –
But he might get paid like a 1 or 2.
I doubt too many teams are going to offer a 30 yr old coming off that kind of season 1 or 2 money (depending on your definition). He has a career ERA over 4 and has never had more than 2.0 WAR in a season. But if the cubs grab him for 4/60 range then that is a good deal for an innings eater
They might’ve if this were next year… But with Price and Greinke atop the FA market, and Johnny Cueto not too far behind – it’s just highly unlikely that Samardzija even sniffs $20 mil per year. Factor in Zimmerman and Leake, and there are just too many options for me to see a team overpaying for Samardzija. I’d still say that 5yr/$80 mil is a fair offer for a 3-starter capable of tossing 200 innings.
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3254&posit…
4 years with over 2 war. fip based war albeit
Regardless of who signs him, I expect him to get a contract somewhere around the value of the reported extension he turned down with the Cubs: About 5/$75MM.
He’s an okay choice, but giving up a draft pick for him doesn’t sit well.
Why would this get downvoted? It says he “might” get paid like one.
because scott feldman gets 12 mil to be an innings eating 5th starter. there really isn’t much of a difference between 3 mil a year when you have so much potential extra performance value
That’s a fair assessment. I think his floor is a 3 with a 2 upside on any MLB team. For the right price, that’s a very valuable addition to the starting staff. Madden was on 670 the score yesterday and emphasized how valuable it is to have a starting staff that can provide you with 1000 innings and Samardzija also fits in to that equation with the relatively low number of innings pitched for his age combined with his great health record. Let Bosio get his mechanics and pitching strategy back to where it was with the Cubs and he could be a huge piece to the puzzle that would allow financial flexibility to sign a CF and or a top bullpen arm. They would still need to sign or trade for another SP at the very least though for depth.
He’s a #4 or 5 at best.
i dont think you understand the meaning of those numbers.
It’s be funny to see Addison Russell, Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel, and Billy McKinney on the Cubs roster at the same time. Maybe during a game where they face Dan Straily?
His first question: Are you going to score runs for me this time?
Answer: This is not the 2014 Cubs. Runs will be plentiful. Lol
Theo/Shark meeting was not baseball related. They were both trying to upgrade their ticket options for the Boston College vs Notre Dame football game at Fenway this Saturday. Who has the most pull, Shark’s alumni seats vs Theo’s Red Sox contacts?
I wonder if Theo offered him the same 5 year, $85 million deal that he turned down in 2014.
Probably hasn’t offered him anything yet.
He should take it and be thankful
Ive been saying for a while now that the Cubs would do well to get Shark back and try and pick up Lackey on a 2yr deal. Then they could focus on trying to pick up a true on base hitter as they live and die by the home run right now.
I like the idea of brining him back but the rumor was that he turned down a 5 year $85 million offer and I personally would be more comfortable with him in the 5 year $75 million range. He just got lit up last year. If he was going to succeed anywhere it would be with the Cubs. He has his pitching coach, loyal fans, and a great ballpark environment to play in. Not to mention a much better offense this time around. Personally I would love the Cubs to find a way to bring Jason Hayward in to play center. Pure on base skills and great defense is exactly what the Cubs need. That or sign him and trade Soler for a center fielder
If they sign him they’ve either got another signing(outfielder) coming and trades brewing for pitching or signing another number 3 starter like Shark is.
Like most cubs fans , I don’t want him.
After looking at his numbers…he is much more of a #3/#4 than a #2/#3. The numbers being tossed around all seem high. 75m?! I think valuewise he is 4/$48m, though there are plenty of examples of overpays…a la Porcello.
btw…by value I mean what he is worth…not what a team will sign him for. I’m sure there is a team out there who will be stupid and only recognize it later.
Predicting the Cubs don’t make a serious run at him.