Jeff Samardzija lights fire under owners in savage burn about fan-less games

It doesn’t sound like Jeff Samardzija is too fond of MLB owners these days.

Jeff Samardzija is not mincing his words about how MLB owners have put their bottom line ahead of the safety and well-being of the players that enhance their bottom line.

After a prolonged negotiation between MLB owners and the players to restart the season that was postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, baseball is inching closer to an official return.

Players returned for summer camp over the weekend as teams begin COVID-19 testing and implement the plans for a safe return to baseball. It’s widely expected there may not be many fans in the stands across MLB this summer and into the early fall, but the San Francisco Giants starter isn’t willing to give the owners the benefit of the doubt and won’t be shocked if the owners do something to make money, even if it puts others at risk.

“I wouldn’t put the carriage before the horse,” Samardzija said, via Andrew Baggerly. “I think we’ve seen from the owners they’re not afraid to put anyone at risk, especially if it makes them money.”

This is the type of comment you’d expect from a player with the nickname “Shark” and Samardzija definitely showed his teeth here.

Samardzija is right to be upset with how things have played out over the last couple of months. Many players have already opted out of returning for this 60-game farce of a schedule and some coaches have opted out as well. Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond have been among the notable names to announce they will not be playing. Others like Mike Trout have expressed concern about resuming play amid the health concerns for him and his pregnant wife.

The return to play is all about owners recouping as much money as they can while minimizing their losses. Samardzija sees right through it and is speaking his mind. I have to wonder if more players will want to have their voices heard too.