Jeff Samardzija open to signing with Chicago Cubs in 2015
The Chicago Cubs were unable to bridge the financial gap between former starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija and what the club was willing to offer in a contract extension, so the Cubs traded their ace to the Oakland Athletics earlier this summer. However, could a reunion take place in 2015?
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Samardzija is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2015 season and barring something unforeseen, the All-Star starting pitcher will hit the open market.
If that happens, Samardzija is keeping the door open for a return to the Windy City and the team that drafted and developed him into one of the top power pitchers in the game today.
According to Comcast Sportsnet Cubs beat writer Patrick Mooney, Samardzija is keeping the Cubs on his list.
Samardzija on the possibility of returning to Chicago after 2015 season: "That is absolutely something on my list. I love it here."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) September 8, 2014
The Cubs tried to sign Samardzija to an extension before trading him and Jason Hammel with prized prospect Addison Russell the main centerpiece in the deal coming back to Chicago after contract talks broke down.
You can’t fault the Cubs for trading him when they did and for the package they received. You can fault the Cubs for not spending in free agency or developing pitchers with much success, but the team has maintained they will be buyers for arms in the near future.
That could result in a reunion on the north side of Chicago with Samardzija rejoining the team.
Perhaps he’ll be the missing piece to that elusive World Series?