According to multiple outlets, Jeff Samardzija has agreed to terms with the San Francisco Giants on a five-year, $90 million contract. The deal includes a limited no-trade clause.
The Cubs were in discussions with Samardzija as of Friday. Reports suggested Samardzija’s market increased to the point the Cubs were no longer comfortable with re-signing him. According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs’ offer to Samardzija had the same $18 million AAV but was for fewer years.
The Giants will forfeit its’ first round draft pick for signing Samardzija once the deal is official.
The Cubs moved to John Lackey, who may have been the front office’s main target to begin with, and agreed to terms on a two-year, $32 million contract with the veteran right-hander.
Samardzija lived in San Francisco after he was moved to Oakland in July 2014, along with Jason Hammel, for Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, Dan Straily and cash.
In 16 starts for the A’s in 2014, Samardzija was 5-6 with a 3.14 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.
Samardzija reportedly chose the Giants over the Cardinals and Dodgers. And he should have a better relationship with Giants’ pitching coach Dave Righetti than the clash on the South Side with Don Cooper.
Jeff Samardzija signed a larger contract than the extension he rejected from the Cubs. Samardzija was 11-13 in 32 starts for the Sox last season with a 4.96 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Samardzija has a chance at being the No. 2 pitcher in Bruce Bochy’s rotation behind Madison Bumgarner.
The Giants are still interested in Mike Leake and are not done improving the rotation.