Cubs sign Samardzija five-year, $10 million deal

[TR3Y]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2736354

Cubs sign Samardzija five-year, $10 million deal


Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija has decided to forego a pro football career for that of a baseball pitcher -- and he'll be well-compensated for it.

Samardzija signed a five-year deal Friday to play baseball full-time, starting in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system, with the team holding options for 2012 and 2013.

A news conference was scheduled for Friday afternoon.


When the Cubs drafted Samardzija in the fifth round last June, giving him a $250,000 signing bonus, he intended to play both football and baseball professionally.

Last season, Samardzija pitched for Class A Boise and Peoria, where he finished a combined 1-2 with a 2.70 earned run average. He struck out 17 and walked 12 in 30 innings.

He is expected to start the season in Class A Peoria, where Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will be the manager.


A two-sport athlete at Notre Dame, Samardzija had 78 receptions for 1,017 receiving yards in 2006. In 2005, he set Fighting Irish team records for yards receiving with 1,249 abd touchdown catches with 15. In baseball, he went 21-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 50 career appearances for Notre Dame.

[The Hamburgler]

Dude, he is STUPID.

[Emancipator]

He didn't want to take an NFL hit across the middle by John Lynch, Al Wilson, or Urlacker.

[TR3Y]

There goes everyone's mocks

[xX-Bronco-Xx]

Dude, he is STUPID.

I wouldn't say taking the safer path is stupid since imo he has a better chance at being good in baseball then football and I think he could play longer in baseball.

[silkamilkamonic]

Anyone thinking Samardzija is stupid is a complete idiot. More money, safer sport, favorite sport >>> less money, dangerous sport, 2nd favortie sport.

[Nick7]

Dude, he is STUPID.

When he is 50 yrs old, he'll be glad he made the decision.

[str8jacket]

I wouldn't say taking the safer path is stupid since imo he has a better chance at being good in baseball then football and I think he could play longer in baseball.

He could play longer?

The Cubs do have a bad track record with pitchers and health guys....

Mark Prior and Kerry Wood anyone? anyone?

listen, if this whole Brian Waters thing never happened id be against this.......but the League really needs to start helping players out more

[BIG HOUSE]

10 mil over 5 seasons for a 5th round draft pick starting in class A....good move cubs

[Calif. Bronco]

10 mil over 5 seasons for a 5th round draft pick starting in class A....good move cubs

Remember, this is the same team that thinks Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly and worth multi-year, multimillion dollar contracts.

As for the athlete, I think he made the right decision if for no other reason then baseball money is guaranteed and football money isn't.

[maruske845]

dummy

then again he might be a genius more playing years in baseball = more money and you enjoy it more


and i am not a person about money=you should enjoy what you do

[PurdueBronc]

Woohoo! Go CUBBIES!!! Graveyard for pitchers though.

[DawgFanatic]

Baseball players aren't exactly as healthy as some of you guys might think when they retire...

[silkamilkamonic]

Baseball players aren't exactly as healthy as some of you guys might think when they retire...

I would argue that they are a lot more healthier then football players.

[Kapaibro]

Old news. They signed him last year. He played his summer for one of their feeder leagues, and they were just waiting to see if he went with the NFL draft.