Gammons on Samardzija

[cubsva]

For those of us that have not actually heard this dude's name mentioned, can someone provide a proper pronunciation?

Sa-MAR-zhuh

I thought it was Sa-MAR-ja

No, there is definitely a hard "zh" in there. Just picture no I in between the Z and J and you will pretty much have it.

 

Maybe the Cubs have finally given up on baseball and want to make a run at some semi-professional football with Samardzija as their star player :lol:

 

Ok...or they could just be throwing away 8 million dollars on another Drew Henson. :cry:

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

[srbin84]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

 

I believe this guy throws low to mid-90's. That's very good. One way you can look at it is that he's had to devote so much time and training to football that he hasn't had a very good chance to hone his baseball talent, and if you believe that, he could turn out to be a very good pitcher.

[NorthsideAvenger]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

 

I personally believe that is Sammy had devoted himself to baseball strictly, HE would be the best pitcher in the 06 draft, and NOT Miller. But because of his "split commitments" we don't know where Sammy is in terms of development.

 

Sammy is said to be able to hit low to mid 90s, touching high 90s alot of times. His off speed pitches are definately a work in progress, and depends on who you ask...some people likes Sammy slider, (I've heard it's been compare to Clement's, not sure how accurate that is, but if it's true... :shock: ) and some thinks is a sloppy curve.

 

Nonetheless....Sammy is definately a FIRST RD PICK, that dropped due to his "football commitments." If the Cubs get him to drop football for good, then the Cubs, will without a doubt get the TRUE STEAL of the 2006 draft.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

The video on MLB.com has him between 87-92 pitching at 88-89.

 

Maybe it was just a bad day? Or early in the season? Or really late in the season?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So we're giving out the biggest contract in the draft to the guy who might be a first round caliber pitcher if he pitches full time, yet we're still going to let him play football?

[E.J.]

So we're giving out the biggest contract in the draft to the guy who might be a first round caliber pitcher if he pitches full time, yet we're still going to let him play football?

 

Did you expect anything different from this organization?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

 

I personally believe that is Sammy had devoted himself to baseball strictly, HE would be the best pitcher in the 06 draft, and NOT Miller. But because of his "split commitments" we don't know where Sammy is in terms of development.

 

Sammy is said to be able to hit low to mid 90s, touching high 90s alot of times. His off speed pitches are definately a work in progress, and depends on who you ask...some people likes Sammy slider, (I've heard it's been compare to Clement's, not sure how accurate that is, but if it's true... :shock: ) and some thinks is a sloppy curve.

 

Nonetheless....Sammy is definately a FIRST RD PICK, that dropped due to his "football commitments." If the Cubs get him to drop football for good, then the Cubs, will without a doubt get the TRUE STEAL of the 2006 draft.

 

He used to throw the loopy curve before this season and scrapped it for the slider. It's supposed to be a better pitch but he still has a lot of work on it.

[Outshined_One]

Just heard on the broadcast that the Cubs and Samardzija have agreed in principle to a deal.

[Brian]

up to 7.25mill

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2490178&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[Soul]

How do we really know he's a top pitching prospect?

 

I know he's definitely a top NFL prospect (or somewhere in the neighborhood), but I know little of his pitching prowress, and to be honest I don't trust the Cubs scouting department to accurately judge his ability.

 

Just having a mid-90's fastball isn't going to guarantee anything. Lots of guys can do that.

 

And are we really going to pay him a ton of dough and then watch him get crunched every weekend by NFL DBs?

 

Hey---it's the Cubs' money not mine, they can do what they want. I'm just saying, doesn't sound like they've thought all of this through...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

And are we really going to pay him a ton of dough and then watch him get crunched every weekend by NFL DBs?

 

No, it's extremely back-loaded. By the time those years come around, he'll have to have picked one sport.

[NorthsideAvenger]

And are we really going to pay him a ton of dough and then watch him get crunched every weekend by NFL DBs?

 

No, it's extremely back-loaded. By the time those years come around, he'll have to have picked one sport.

 

The Cubs did a "smart move" by backloading the contract? Who knew Hendry could pull one from his bottom.

[treebird]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

 

I personally believe that is Sammy had devoted himself to baseball strictly, HE would be the best pitcher in the 06 draft, and NOT Miller. But because of his "split commitments" we don't know where Sammy is in terms of development.

 

Sammy is said to be able to hit low to mid 90s, touching high 90s alot of times. His off speed pitches are definately a work in progress, and depends on who you ask...some people likes Sammy slider, (I've heard it's been compare to Clement's, not sure how accurate that is, but if it's true... :shock: ) and some thinks is a sloppy curve.

 

Nonetheless....Sammy is definately a FIRST RD PICK, that dropped due to his "football commitments." If the Cubs get him to drop football for good, then the Cubs, will without a doubt get the TRUE STEAL of the 2006 draft.

 

He used to throw the loopy curve before this season and scrapped it for the slider. It's supposed to be a better pitch but he still has a lot of work on it.

 

if we have to pay him this much money, i don't see how it could be considered a steal.

 

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

How do we really know he's a top pitching prospect?

 

I know he's definitely a top NFL prospect (or somewhere in the neighborhood), but I know little of his pitching prowress, and to be honest I don't trust the Cubs scouting department to accurately judge his ability.

 

Just having a mid-90's fastball isn't going to guarantee anything. Lots of guys can do that.

 

And are we really going to pay him a ton of dough and then watch him get crunched every weekend by NFL DBs?

 

Hey---it's the Cubs' money not mine, they can do what they want. I'm just saying, doesn't sound like they've thought all of this through...

 

The one thing the Cubs are good at is finding pitching prowess. Now maintaining healthy arms is a different story, but they are strong when it comes to recognizing pitching talent. Granted you may not see those pitchers in Cub uniforms down the road. Just ask the Marlins in a couple years. They might be able to attest to this point.

[NorthsideAvenger]

What exactly is so impressive about this guy?

 

Andrew Miller, the top talent in the draft, requested that much and was shut down by the first 5 team. More than likely his money won't be close to 8 million.

 

What kind of arm does this guy have? I've heard his college numbers aren't so impressive, and he's a top 20 NFL prospect...

 

It really might be the fact that we are a [expletive] orginization.

 

I personally believe that is Sammy had devoted himself to baseball strictly, HE would be the best pitcher in the 06 draft, and NOT Miller. But because of his "split commitments" we don't know where Sammy is in terms of development.

 

Sammy is said to be able to hit low to mid 90s, touching high 90s alot of times. His off speed pitches are definately a work in progress, and depends on who you ask...some people likes Sammy slider, (I've heard it's been compare to Clement's, not sure how accurate that is, but if it's true... :shock: ) and some thinks is a sloppy curve.

 

Nonetheless....Sammy is definately a FIRST RD PICK, that dropped due to his "football commitments." If the Cubs get him to drop football for good, then the Cubs, will without a doubt get the TRUE STEAL of the 2006 draft.

 

He used to throw the loopy curve before this season and scrapped it for the slider. It's supposed to be a better pitch but he still has a lot of work on it.

 

if we have to pay him this much money, i don't see how it could be considered a steal.

 

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

 

The fact that at worst he was considered a 2 RD talent (could had gone in the first rd to supplemental) and the Cubs got him in the 5TH RD. That, to me, is considered a steal. Now he has to produce in order to be considered a "steal", tho.

 

I wouldn't say he would be a better prospect in he stuck to baseball, but I will say this...he would have a better chance at living up to his talent, if he chose one sport, and dedicated himself to it.

[1908]

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

That's just silly. His pitches would be more polished at this point if he had concentrated on baseball, and that's what makes his potential intriguing. You can argue he's not worth the risk, but nonsensical hyperbole doesn't make your case.

[treebird]

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

That's just silly. His pitches would be more polished at this point if he had concentrated on baseball, and that's what makes his potential intriguing. You can argue he's not worth the risk, but nonsensical hyperbole doesn't make your case.

 

so say he has lots of upside like you would for anybody else. maybe if andrew miller trained an extra hour everyday he'd be even better, i guess detroit really got a steal.

 

when you add in the fact that he's NOT planning on focusing solely on baseball anytime soon, it just seems like a silly argument.

[1908]

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

That's just silly. His pitches would be more polished at this point if he had concentrated on baseball, and that's what makes his potential intriguing. You can argue he's not worth the risk, but nonsensical hyperbole doesn't make your case.

 

so say he has lots of upside like you would for anybody else. maybe if andrew miller trained an extra hour everyday he'd be even better, i guess detroit really got a steal.

I don't think there's anything wrong with suggesting he has more room for improvement than Miller because he's a lot more raw. And he's raw because he hasn't devoted as much time to baseball as typical college players do.

[CubinNY]

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

That's just silly. His pitches would be more polished at this point if he had concentrated on baseball, and that's what makes his potential intriguing. You can argue he's not worth the risk, but nonsensical hyperbole doesn't make your case.

 

so say he has lots of upside like you would for anybody else. maybe if andrew miller trained an extra hour everyday he'd be even better, i guess detroit really got a steal.

I don't think there's anything wrong with suggesting he has more room for improvement than Miller because he's a lot more raw. And he's raw because he hasn't devoted as much time to baseball as typical college players do.

 

Yes, but that is just a theory. Maybe he's as good as he would be. Maybe not.

 

Personally, I don't see what's so silly aboout Treebeard's post.

 

I guess we've all been conditioned to hope for the best amonst all those toolsy picks Hendry seems to be infatuated with.

 

Whatever the case, with only 2 picks in the first five rounds maybe the Cubs did need to take a long shot. then again maybe not.

[1908]

also, in response to those who say he'd be a better prospect if he concentrated only on baseball, i'd like to add that he'd also be a better prospect if he could throw a 110 mph screwball. neither appear to be the case though.

That's just silly. His pitches would be more polished at this point if he had concentrated on baseball, and that's what makes his potential intriguing. You can argue he's not worth the risk, but nonsensical hyperbole doesn't make your case.

 

so say he has lots of upside like you would for anybody else. maybe if andrew miller trained an extra hour everyday he'd be even better, i guess detroit really got a steal.

I don't think there's anything wrong with suggesting he has more room for improvement than Miller because he's a lot more raw. And he's raw because he hasn't devoted as much time to baseball as typical college players do.

 

Yes, but that is just a theory. Maybe he's as good as he would be. Maybe not.

 

Personally, I don't see what's so silly aboout Treebeard's post.

 

I guess we've all been conditioned to hope for the best amonst all those toolsy picks Hendry seems to be infatuated with.

 

Whatever the case, with only 2 picks in the first five rounds maybe the Cubs did need to take a long shot. then again maybe not.

We can play the maybe, maybe not game with every draft, and yes, you do have to hope for the best too. The failure rate is far too high across the board not to do so.

[Andy]

The point is, the contract is back loaded, so if Samardzija wants to get the big bucks he is going to have to concentrate on baseball, and you can probably postulate that he will get better at baseball the more he works at it, if that day comes.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Justin Upton, the No. 1 pick in 2005, received a $6.1 million bonus from Arizona, the record for a player signed by the team drafted him. Baseball America, citing unnamed sources, reported Commissioner Bud Selig was upset by the Samardzija bonus and became personally involved in the negotiations because the Cubs have upset the slotting structure for signing bonuses, giving out money no first-round pick has ever received to a player selected in the fifth round.

chicagosports.com

 

First: Sammy a fifth rd pick got more in $7.25 signing bonus, then Upton the former #1 overall pick got. I wonder how Upton feels now? :shock:

 

Second: Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the president of baseball can't personally get himself involved with a MLB franchise. I know he has done it before (ARod trade, and the Expos/Nats situation), but to me...Selig had NO RIGHT to interfered in the middle of a transaction. Once again, Selig has proven himself to be the biggest dummy in sports.

[Andy]

He does only get the bonus if he plays baseball full time however.

 

Baseball America reported the Cubs plan to give their fifth-round draft pick a $7.25 million bonus if he winds up making baseball his primary sport over football.

[Outshined_One]

Second: Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the president of baseball can't personally get himself involved with a MLB franchise. I know he has done it before (ARod trade, and the Expos/Nats situation), but to me...Selig had NO RIGHT to interfered in the middle of a transaction. Once again, Selig has proven himself to be the biggest dummy in sports.

 

The MLB draft rules are really bizarre. A gentlemen's agreement exists among all of the teams. While there is no slotting system for picks in terms of salaries, there are still recommended contract amounts for each pick/round. If a team's offer goes over one of those amounts, MLB can send a sternly-worded letter to that team asking them to rescind the offer, which teams can follow or blow off altogether.