Comments on: Why the Cubs Should Target a Struggling Samardzija

By: Ryan Davis

Ryan Davis — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 22:32:36 +0000

I am not plugged in enough to know what the inside perception is of him, but I figure if I can put this piece together and read in between the lines on his struggles this year, I assume most in baseball have as well. So I would guess he still has a decent amount of value.

That said, I think he’d be lucky to get the same offer the Cubs gave him last year, which was 5 years/$85 million. But a lot of stuff can change, and GM’s routinely surprise us in free agency.

And thank YOU for reading and commenting! I love to interact with intelligent commenters.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 22:25:21 +0000

By the way, great piece Ryan and thanks for interacting with us in the peanut gallery.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 22:24:25 +0000

I presume it’s too early, but are there rumors about what Shark would be looking for in an extension/new deal? Feels like national media’s perception of him has dropped a lot from where it was when he left the Cubs. Has his leverage fallen as well? Or do front offices still think they can get him back to level of performance where he looked like a potential #1 or #2 starter?

By: Zack Moser

Zack Moser — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 19:24:16 +0000

I would do that deal in a heartbeat, since those guys’ only value is as trade chips in a mid-to-upper tier deal like this. Vogs and Villanueva aren’t going to be pieces in a Hamels deal or any other blockbuster, should they be looking for one.

The only wrinkle is that, if they land Shark, pursuing a contract with him would likely prohibit the pursuit of other FA pitchers. Not that having those options is a bad thing.

By: Ryan Davis

Ryan Davis — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 01:03:15 +0000

I agree he probably has an interest in resigning with the Sox, but I doubt they’re willing to give out the deal he wants. The Sox made an exception to their “no 5 year deals” rule for Danks, and we all saw how that worked out.

Either way, I think they end up moving him. They need to rebuild and they know it. If they can get Vogelbach, Villanueva, and a lower level prospect, shouldn’t they do it? They still have every opportunity to make an offer to him in the offseason, and if he really wants to be there he can sign.

By: Zack Moser

Zack Moser — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 00:52:41 +0000

I have a feeling that Shark wants to resign with the Sox, since that’s “his team” and he might not get the money he once expected.

But I’m also very much for acquiring him at the deadline, if the price is right. I have NO idea what that package would look like, but I probably wouldn’t give up Baez (who is at the nadir of his trade value). The Cubs’ D is better than the Sox, so I would expect SOME improvement in runs allowed metrics. He’s probably my favorite pitcher on the market right now.

By: Ryan Davis

Ryan Davis — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:03:42 +0000

I would doubt he ends up back in a Cubs uniform next year, but they are probably going to have to take a look at it as a trade possibility this year. Unless, of course, a more longterm solution presents itself. Thanks for reading!

By: Lucas

Lucas — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 19:09:36 +0000

I would absolutely love for Cubs to bring Shark back. I always interpreted his desire to leave a bet on himself to land a bigger contract than Cubs offered as well. The fan in me would love to see him get a chance to be apart of the winning, after all the lousy teams he played for. Plus they type of competitor he was on the mound and how fun his outings were to watch, really makes me hope he’s back in a Cubs uniform soon.