Cubs draft Jeff Samardzija!

[sfk324]

Last year was his make or break year and he came through with a strong season and an ERA under 3 and batters only hitting .200 off him.

If he falls off a bit this year, his career will not be up in a cloud of smoke. His strong year last year has guaranteed that. Heck if Kyle Farnsworth can stick in the league for 13 years, I would say Jeff will be in the league for quite some time.

Farnsworth stuck around because he could light up a radar gun like few others. That gives you more opportunities than it probably warrants because scouts/coaches always feel like the chance is there to turn him into a weapon. I don't think many teams see Shark that way.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I realize Jeff isn't quite as fast as Farnsworth, but he throws in the upper 90's consistently, which is usually a ticket for a long stay, just as you alluded to with Kyle.

Below is an article about Jeff with some very high praise from a National League East top evaluator.
Samardzija poised for another big year - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

Although Chicago Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija will be competing with at least seven other pitchers for a rotation slot, the 27-year-old is confident that his time to shine is now.

After a conversation with president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum, the former Notre Dame football star is ready to become the pitcher he and the team expected him to be when he signed a $10.8 million dollar contract in 2006.

"That's all I asked for when I sat down with Theo and Dale," Samardzija said. "I told them I am very confident, and that my command and slider control are where they need to be in order to be successful as a starter. With an opportunity, I am sure I can handle it from there."

The Cubs pitcher had a breakout season in 2011, posting an 8-4 record with a 2.97 ERA in 75 games. The organization kept him in one role for the first time since 2008.

"Right now I am doing what I need to in order to be ready for spring training," Samardzija said. "So far the feeling I get is these new people have a plan and they are sticking to. That is exciting to me. They have a plan and are not running around like chickens with their heads chopped off. It is good to see they are building a strong foundation and going from there."

Baseball people have given Samardzija high marks for his coming of age as a pitcher, and not just a thrower.

"He was the most improved pitcher I saw from April till September last year," said a National League East top evaluator. "His mound presence and breaking ball are top drawer. The guy looked as good as any young relief pitcher in the game."

The former All-American receiver from Valparaiso, Ind. looked back on his first six years in baseball as a journey.

"It has been an evolution since 2008," Samardzija said. "I believe the strides I made at Iowa in 2010 was the start of me becoming the pitcher I am now."

The other pitchers in the mix for the rotation are Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Chris Volsted and Travis Wood . Samardzija and Randy Wells will have to impress Chris Bosio and the Cubs new manager in order to make a move out of the pen this spring.

 

[BeauBenken]

I keep looking at that picture expecting him to be like Jesus...

 

[ab2cmiller]

Jeff is on a mission to get a starting slot
Chicago Cubs: Jeff Samardzija on mission to win starting spot - chicagotribune.com

After throwing three scoreless innings against Kansas City in his spring debut Wednesday, Jeff Samardzija agreed with Dale Sveum that he's "on a mission" to win a starting spot.

"That's 100 percent correct," Samardzija replied. "I hold a whole lot of stuff inside, but I have a big chip on my shoulder, especially the older I get and see my football skills diminishing. I have to understand I need to start pitching good."

It wasn't all that long ago that Samardzija was defensive when asked about his decision to choose baseball over a possible NFL career. But now he's willing to make jokes about it, an indication he finally is feeling comfortable with his choice of career.

"For me, that topic has been a roller coaster," he said. "(But) I felt I made that decision for the right reasons. From my heart, that's what I wanted to do, play baseball. I never felt like I needed to defend myself.

"The truth is, you have to prove to them it was for the right reasons, and that's what I'm trying to do. Like I've always said, I'm trying to be the Cubs pitcher and not the former Notre Dame football player."

The rotation battle for two spots consists of five pitchers — Samardzija, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood, Randy Wells and Rodrigo Lopez, who threw two scoreless innings Sunday in the Cubs' Cactus League opener.

Volstad starts Thursday against the Mariners, and Wood will get the nod against the White Sox on Friday, with Wells and Lopez following him. That leaves Paul Maholm as the last starter to get into a game. Maholm, who was sick early on, threw a simulated game Monday and a bullpen session Wednesday.

Asked if Maholm was scheduled as his No. 3 starter, Sveum replied: "I can't say that now. … You never know what's going to happen at the end of the thing. There are no slots other than (Ryan) Dempster and (Matt) Garza right now as 1 or 2. But the other ones are just going fall into place."

Samardzija finally appears to be emerging from the Cubs' hype machine. The Cubs drafted the Notre Dame wideout when almost no one had an inkling he wanted to play baseball, then signed him to a $10 million, five-year deal to keep him from playing in the NFL, despite only 30 innings of work at the Class A level.

Heightening pressure on him, they announced the signing a couple of hours before opening ceremonies of the 2007 Cubs Convention.

Then the Cubs brought him up at the end of 2008 to much fanfare, before shuttling him back and forth between the big leagues and Triple-A Iowa in 2009-10, starting in the minors and relieving in the majors.

"People tend to forget we're just pawns here," Samardzija said. "We're just the guys on the chessboard. They're the ones making the moves."

When Samardzija posted a 7.83 ERA with the Cubs over those two seasons, some were quick to label him a bust. But after last year's breakout season in middle relief, the new regime is giving Samardzija another shot at the rotation.

One reporter told Samardzija on Wednesday that someone probably would have put a bounty on him if he had played in the NFL.

"It'd be a big bounty," he said with a laugh. "But they can't touch me in (baseball). That's why I didn't play."

psullivan@tribune.com

 

[Irish Insanity]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...-jeff-samardzija-near-lock-for-rotation-spot/

 

[ab2cmiller]

Through 10 innings pitched in three appearances - two starts—Samardzija is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He has allowed only three earned runs on six hits while striking out nine and not walking anyone.

I know it's only spring training, but 3 appearances in a combined 10 innings with no walks, has me extremely hopeful that his control issues are a thing of the past.

The article that Irish Insanity linked had a quote from the Cubs manager Dale Sveum saying he was a "near lock" for a starting spot.

 

[chgocub23]

Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer impressed with Jeff Samardzija - ESPN Chicago

Gotta love it!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Jeff doing work. Great game today, almost went the distance. If it wasn't for an error on the SS he would've had a complete game 3 hitter.

8.2 innings
4 hits
3 runs
1 earned run
0 Walks
8 K's
110 Pitches 79 Strikes 31 Balls

 

[RuntheBall]

Jeff doing work. Great game today, almost went the distance. If it wasn't for an error on the SS he would've had a complete game 3 hitter.

8.2 innings
4 hits
3 runs
1 earned run
0 Walks
8 K's
110 Pitches 79 Strikes 31 Balls

yeah damn starlin killing my fantasy team (we have a CG category)

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

I picked up Jeff very late in my fantasy league draft when I heard he was going to be a started. I liked what I saw of him today. Keep it up Shark!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Jeff started the season with a strong April and May. Had a terrible June and is pitching strong again in July. Based upon articles from the last couple of months, it's obvious that the Cubs are placing tremendous value in Jeff as it was reported in June that everyone was available for trade, except Samardzija. Here is part of a recent article talking about possible trades for the Cubs. The Cubs believe he can be the ace of the staff or at least the number 2. Hopefully whatever was happening in June is behind him.
Big change for Cubs - they're winning - Yahoo! Sports

If Dempster and Garza are dealt, the Cubs believe they have a potential ace in Jeff Samardzija.

Sveum has seen enough from the former Notre Dame football star to think he could lead the rotation even though he is just over halfway through his first season as a starter. Samardzija spent his first four years mainly as a reliever, but he has pitched well enough to convince the Cubs he can succeed as a starter.

''He's that guy we all feel we have a chance of building a rotation on,'' Sveum said. ''We'll see what happens here in the next couple of weeks. He's that guy. He's going to be that guy that hopefully we can build around and be the No. 1, be the No. 2 guy.''

Samardzija understands his role could be growing.

''I'm really trying to do everything I can today so down the road when you are relied upon, you're ready to take the reins and do what you've got to do,'' he said. ''Is that the situation I want? Obviously, I want to be the guy, but it also would help to have Dempster and Garza throwing in front of you or behind you. You just don't know what's going to happen.''

 

[RDU Irish]

That is pretty sweet, too bad it is for the Cubs though. I guess I can root for them once every five days as long as its not against the Cardinals.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Good for Shark. He made the right call by picking baseball.

 

[ab2cmiller]

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[ab2cmiller]

Jeff with a one hitter so far through 8 innings against the Pirates. Only hit came when he didn't cover 1st right away and McCutchen beat out an infield hit.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Thats great for Shark!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Jeff looked like he was "steaming" that they didn't let him go out and finish it in the ninth inning. After the game they interviewed the catcher rather then Jeff. Great performance by Jeff, had a chance at a no hitter if he would've reacted right away to cover first.

 

[Irish4Life09]

I appreciate the Cubs for finally helping out my Reds for once this season.Go get another win tonight!

 

[yankeeND]

Jeff has really improved this year. Sure his record isn't gaudy or anything like that but he's going deep into games and getting his K's. Needs a little more run support then we could see him really take off! Very proud of him!

 

[TheChosen1]

@Ken_Rosenthal: DEAL IS DONE: #Cubs send Samardzija and Hammel to #Athletics for Addison Russell, per sources. May be other players and team(s) involved.

 

[woolybug25]

Another pitcher leaves the Cubs to become great elsewhere...

 

[FearTheBeard]

Now i can actually root for samardzija!!

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

He's got a good chance to start in a World Series now.

 

[woolybug25]

Seriously, if you're a Cubs fan, how do you defend this move?

Shortsighted and typical. Some things never change.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Seriously, if you're a Cubs fan, how do you defend this move?

Shortsighted and typical. Some things never change.

Fuck the cubbies!

 

[hack15]

I'm an A's fan and i frickin' love this trade!!! Shark is gonna be huge for the A's in the 2nd half of the season and into the post! Let's Go A's and Go IRISH!!!

 

[blueNDgold44]

Seriously, if you're a Cubs fan, how do you defend this move?

Shortsighted and typical. Some things never change.

Trading for a 2012 and 2013 1st rd pick, one of whom is a top 20 consensus prospect, and a young arm for 2 rental arms = shortsighted and typical?

Cubs are also going to receive another player in this trade.

 

[JughedJones]

WOOHOO! Oakland and The Shark!

good stuff.

 

[arrowryan]

Trading for a 2012 and 2013 1st rd pick, one of whom is a top 20 consensus prospect, and a young arm for 2 rental arms = shortsighted and typical?

Cubs are also going to receive another player in this trade.

I wanted to wait to see who the Cubs got in the trade before I had any type of opinion on it. After seeing the Cubs got the A's #1 prospect in Addison Russell, I'm a big fan of this trade. Between Bryant, Baez, and now Russell, there is a lot of talent that could be coming to Chicago in the next 1-2 years

 

[texbender]

Indifferent to either team, but this should be great for Shark, career wise. Being stuck with the Cubs was like being sentenced to rot in a Turkish prison.