If you were Jeff Samardzija

[ackirl]

With the insane amount of money recently being spent on ordinary pitchers and the length of the average NFL career for a Wide Receiver being 4.54 years* if you were Jeff Samardzija and you had to choose one would you play baseball full time or football full time?

*Source​

 

[jerseyborn1971]

Knowing that either is going to bring him enough money to make him VERY happy, I would go with whichever sport I enjoy the most. Financially, baseball is probably a better choice. He could be a bigger name faster playing football though. Don't baseball players usually take awhile before the make it to "the show"?

 

[IrishCPA]

If its all about the money then I would go baseball. If it is about being happy then Jeff needs to decided which one he enjoys more.

 

[Pete]

Baseball, they have guarantee contracts, and nobody is trying to take your head off on every play. And every team always needs pitching. And if it doesn't work out, he then could go and play football.

 

[revelare pecunia]

Baseball for the longevity and guaranteed contracts, financial benefits, noted above. I believe Kirk Gibson and Dave Winfield would agree. Football is my favorite sport, but WRs are basically interchangable in the NFL, rarely going in the first round - with the exception of the Detroit Lions.

 

[grantland]

Golf.

 

[A2McGowan]

The cat goes out on the town a bunch (even hours after the UM loss.....ahem). So football I say, cause Wrigleyville will eat him up.

 

[KMac151993]

I've always maintained that he isn't the best WR on the team so I would say chose baseball, it fits his personality better.

 

[timm3117]

Well the money in baseball is nice, but just because he's playing minor league ball doesn't mean he'll ever make it to the majors. Where in football he'll get first round money with a very nice signing bonus. So I think he's pretty smart to keep both options open.

 

[SSmith88]

I thought I heard he had an upper 90's fast ball. If that's the case, play baseball. Longer career, less pounding, and lots of damn money if he's any good!

 

[DomerSib]

Baseball fer sure..why pound your body so hard if you odn't have to..

 

[irish0307]

Either one rocks so its a toss up in my book

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

The issue of money being thrown at pitchers shouldnt be a point of emphasis.

The issue of HOW you cash your paycheck, should.

Nothing is really guaranteed to NFL players. If he blows his knee in the NFL he could end his career (for both sports). If he gets TJ he still could pitch in a season or 2 after rehab. And he would still be able to cash his check.

 

[timm3117]

The issue of money being thrown at pitchers shouldnt be a point of emphasis.

The issue of HOW you cash your paycheck, should.

Nothing is really guaranteed to NFL players. If he blows his knee in the NFL he could end his career (for both sports). If he gets TJ he still could pitch in a season or 2 after rehab. And he would still be able to cash his check.

No sport is guaranteed. Football there is always a chance of injury, but in Baseball theres a good chance of never making a major league roster. Which happens all the time to prospects.

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

No sport is guaranteed. Football there is always a chance of injury, but in Baseball theres a good chance of never making a major league roster. Which happens all the time to prospects.

Baseball the money IS guaranteed. Future reference, I suggest you take a look at Samardzija's contract with the Cubs.

 

[IrishSanDiego]

Baseball the money IS guaranteed. Future reference, I suggest you take a look at Samardzija's contract with the Cubs.

Won't he make the majority in his 4th or 5th year is he chooses baseball?
He could always try both for a few years and then pick one after that.

 

[Get Nasty]

Baseball

Baseball

Baseball would be the easiest choice. You can be a multi millionaire and never make a mlb roster.

 

[Doomsday Device]

Moneywise, I think it makes more sense for him to go for baseball. But I think he has a better chance of being a star if he plays football. Depends which way he wants to go.

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

....But I think he has a better chance of being a star if he plays football......

And, I thought ive been drinking the Cool-Aid.

 

[ACamp1900]

If I HAD to choose... it's baseball for sure... but if I were in his shoes... I'd take a shot and both, if one goes horribly wrong then fall back full time on the other... see- Drew Hensen... THAT is the way NOT to go... one then the other one then the other...

Bo knows... go the way of Bo

 

[mirertobrooks]

No guarantee of ever making big momey in MLB. Places like PR, DR, Cuba, breed ball players and their all hungrier the American boys. Also as a pitcher, you have to be concearned with arm trouble, rotator, shoulder, elbow, cortizone shots in you elbow that hurt like a bitch. Tough choice, but I would say baseball would be harder then football to guarantee getting PAID!

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

No, this isnt even an issue. Contracts are guaranteed in MLB, about HALF your salary is guaranteed in the NFL.

Are you seriously going to argue about injuries? The life expectancy in the NFL is far lower on average compared to that in MLB. Knee injuries ruin NFL careers, Tommy John more often than not, doesnt.

 

[BGIF]

Baseball. He can try and break Rocket's baseball record for most "farewell tours"

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

Baseball, it's easier, lol. I love the sport, but it's true.

But honestly, I'd tell him to follow the sport he likes best; He's got more potential in whatever sport that is than in the other.

 

[IrishGirl10]

is there any way he could possibly do both.

I voted for football - because I love watching him play - but if baseball makes him happier - he should go with it then.

 

[ACamp1900]

is there any way he could possibly do both.

I voted for football - because I love watching him play - but if baseball makes him happier - he should go with it then.

One would figure it would affect his baseball (espec. as a pitcher) more but why the hell not try it... ?? I say go for both

 

[IrishGirl10]

One would figure it would affect his baseball (espec. as a pitcher) more but why the hell not try it... ?? I say go for both

oh - i was just curious. I know Dion Sanders did both and didn't OJ..so I was just wondering.

 

[Famboo28]

Easy choice, you have to go with baseball. The contracts are worth much more money than in the NFL. Also, Jeff would only play until probably 30 in the NFL, if that, whereas in MLB he could play until he was 40 if he was good enough.

 

[flick0069]

Depnds where he is expected to go in the NFL draft....if he is in the top 15 then i would say football....if not baseball.

 

[mirertobrooks]

No, this isnt even an issue. Contracts are guaranteed in MLB, about HALF your salary is guaranteed in the NFL.

Are you seriously going to argue about injuries? The life expectancy in the NFL is far lower on average compared to that in MLB. Knee injuries ruin NFL careers, Tommy John more often than not, doesnt.

What I mean is there is no guarantee of a large contract ever being signed with a MLB team. Do you know how hard it is to make it? There is no minor leagues in football, if he's a first round pick, he'll make big money. Alot of big name baseball prospects never panned out, signed a contract out of high school and were done in 4 years.

I will seriously argue about injuries. As a pitcher your arm is all you have. For every guy who has TJ or another type of surgery and comes back stronger there are about 100 guys you never heard of who don't.

If Jeff can make it in MLB obviously that's the best choice for money, corrrect. I'm not sure what he signed for with the Cubs. But he'll sign a much bigger contract in the NFL.