Jeff Samardzija Signs Five-Year MLB Deal With Chicago Cubs

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Jeff Samardzija Signs Five-Year MLB Deal With Chicago Cubs
Right-handed pitcher agreed to a $10 million, five-year contract



CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club and right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija have agreed to a five-year Major League contract with club options for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Samardzija, who will focus solely on his baseball career, will report to Big League camp in Mesa, Ariz., on February 14.

Samardzija, 21, was Chicago's fifth round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He made seven starts between Single-A Boise and Single-A Peoria, posting a 2.70 combined ERA (9 ER/30.0 IP) and was named the Cubs' fourth-best prospect by Baseball America at season's end.

A standout student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Samardzija went 8-2 with a 4.33 ERA (47 ER/97.2 IP) in 15 starts for the Fighting Irish last season. He closed out the 2006 campaign with three straight outings of 8.0 or more innings while striking out 61 and walking 37 on the season. He allowed just three home runs in 97.2 innings of work and was named first team All-Big East.

Samardzija went 21-6 with a 3.82 ERA (102 ER/240.1 IP) in 50 career games (31 starts) for Notre Dame. Just 12 pitchers in the 114-year history of Notre Dame baseball have won more games in their careers than Samardzija (each with 22-plus wins). Overall, he surrendered just 11 home runs in his 240.1 innings of work and struck out 159 while walking 84.

The Valparaiso, Ind., native was also a star wide receiver on the Notre Dame football team. He led the football team with 78 receptions and 1,017 receiving yards in 2006, his senior season, and was named first team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America. In 2005, he set Notre Dame single-season records for yards receiving (1,249) and touchdown catches (15).

Samardzija, who turns 22 on Tuesday, graduated from Valparaiso (Ind.) High School in 2003. He batted .481 with eight home runs and 50 RBI as a senior after posting a .375 average with five home runs and 37 RBI as a junior.

 

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Samardzija's Statement
Jan. 19, 2007

"I am pleased to announce that today I have reached an agreement on a five-year Major League contract with the Chicago Cubs. Consequently, I will devote my full time and attention to professional baseball and forego a potential career in the National Football League. I am honored to be given the opportunity to pursue this career path as a member of the Chicago Cubs. This is a dream come true for a kid who grew up in Northern Indiana looking up the road at this great city and its loyal fans. I feel very comfortable that this is exactly where I belong.

"Obviously, my decision means I have played my last football game. That does not mean I have lost my passion for the game. I will always love football. My four years at Notre Dame - playing for the Fighting Irish - were amazing. I could not have asked for more from my teammates, our fans, and our coaches. I appreciate fully that another amazing experience awaited me in the NFL. But, as much as it seemed like a real possibility last summer, I have concluded that playing two sports professionally is impossible.

"I understand that some people may be skeptical of my intentions. I cannot lie: leaving football will not be easy. But playing baseball is my first love. It is what I want to do for a living.

"I want to thank the Chicago Cubs and the Tribune Company for helping make this happen. I want to especially thank Jim Hendry. His belief in me and my passion for baseball never wavered. He took a chance on me last summer, and he waited patiently while I did what I wanted to do. Today, I hope Jim feels rewarded for that patience. In addition, I want to thank Paul Mainieri and Charlie Weis, my two head coaches at Notre Dame. The two of them figured out a way to allow me to live out my dream of playing two sports in college. None of this would have been possible without their understanding and cooperation.

"Finally, I want to thank my family and everyone who has been so supportive for so long. No one gets to this point in their life without love and support. I am blessed to have an abundance of both.

"In closing, I want to let Cubs fans know that I am committed to their team and their goal - to bring a World Series championship to this great franchise. I only hope I can be a part of that someday."