Cubs Announcement: Samardzija Forgoes the NFL for the Cubs

[Andy]

GO SHARK! :D

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Do I get a cookie for calling it?

 

And for the person who asked, Samardzija is most certainly a first round baseball talent.

 

If I get a cookie too. I called 1 post before you.

 

I like oatmeal and Raisin, Raisin.

 

Ask Jon, I called it last night on instant messenger while watching the UCLA bball game.

[David]

Do I get a cookie for calling it?

 

And for the person who asked, Samardzija is most certainly a first round baseball talent.

 

A late or early first round talent? I don't follow the minors or college all that closely. Is he a sure fire type guy, or just a guy who projects to be pretty good in a few years?

[CuseCubFan69]

Where are the Samardzija rumors coming from? Is there speculation going around that I haven't heard about?

 

It's been reported in recent days that you might see Samard zija, Samard zija, Samardzija, sign a baseball only contract before the Senior Bowl practices begin.

 

Am I the only one who caught this? If this was a brady bunch reference...very funny.

 

I will hereforth refer to him as Mardzija, Mardzija, Mardzija.

 

 

Or Marsha.

 

I didn't catch it but now I can't think of anything but Marsha and football right now!

 

I was going for one of those Sesame Street spelling things, to sound out the word.

 

Stu --- pid

Stu - pid

Stupid

 

But I like Marsha.

 

Who doesn't!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Do I get a cookie for calling it?

 

And for the person who asked, Samardzija is most certainly a first round baseball talent.

 

A late or early first round talent? I don't follow the minors or college all that closely. Is he a sure fire type guy, or just a guy who projects to be pretty good in a few years?

 

Projects. He's a bit rawer than most college prospects because of all the time he lost to football. He picked up throwing a changeup really quickly in Boise and the coaches were really impressed. His breaking ball also improved.

 

I believe I read somewhere (BA) that he was rated around 20th pick overall in terms of talent but it's been about 8 months since I read that so I could be wrong.

[CubinNY]

Where are the Samardzija rumors coming from? Is there speculation going around that I haven't heard about?

 

It's been reported in recent days that you might see Samard zija, Samard zija, Samardzija, sign a baseball only contract before the Senior Bowl practices begin.

 

Am I the only one who caught this? If this was a brady bunch reference...very funny.

 

I will hereforth refer to him as Mardzija, Mardzija, Mardzija.

 

 

Or Marsha.

 

I didn't catch it but now I can't think of anything but Marsha and football right now!

 

I was going for one of those Sesame Street spelling things, to sound out the word.

 

Stu --- pid

Stu - pid

Stupid

 

But I like Marsha.

 

Who doesn't!

 

Jan.

[goonys evil twin]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

[CubinNY]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

 

They did pay a lot of money for him (reportedly), though. It's hard to turn down that amount money.

 

We'll all be watching his progress closely.

[CuseCubFan69]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

 

I'm going to Kinkos to frame this post!

[CubsLadyinSTL]

So he is going to start at Peoria next year??? How soon before he hits the major league?? Him and Ryno in the same stadium, do you think there might be a few more people buying Peoria Chiefs tickets this year??

[CuseCubFan69]

Since I'm from NY and have no idea where anything is except our great states cities....is Peoria in Montana?

 

 

 

 

It is joke.

[CubsLadyinSTL]

For some it might as well be. I read that on the tour the team took, Ryne was talking about how long of a drive it is from Chicago.

 

 

Its only 3 hours.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So he is going to start at Peoria next year??? How soon before he hits the major league?? Him and Ryno in the same stadium, do you think there might be a few more people buying Peoria Chiefs tickets this year??

 

He should start in Peoria. I'd say he'd hit the bigs sometime in 2009.

[Jon]

Guaranteed 5 years/$12.5 million is a little odd, although I guess it's not too surprising.

 

What's more odd is that they scheduled a press conference like that for the announcement.

Edited January 19, 2007 by Jon

[Guest]

First: On spelling hard names....spell Smardzija's teammate on Notre Dame last name? You know the kid I refer to as "The Mohawk Kid" who is a CUBS fan, and pushing Smardzija to sign with the Cubs. Now THAT'S a hard name to spell.

 

Second: I'm glad the Cubs got it done. It doesn't justify the "reaches" the Cubs took in the draft, but if Smardzija/Colvin but live up to each level of talent, along with Huseby/Ruddle, etc, then this draft is better then most people thought initially. But that is still and big IF, in my mind.

 

Third: I know Smardzija wants to be in the rotation by 2008, but I hope he earns it, and not given it. I hope the Cubs remain patience with him.

[RynoRules]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

 

I'm going to Kinkos to frame this post!

 

Glad I am not the only one who caught that.

 

I am really excited about this. Its nice to have some unadulterated good news for once.

[goonys evil twin]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

 

I'm going to Kinkos to frame this post!

 

Glad I am not the only one who caught that.

 

I am really excited about this. Its nice to have some unadulterated good news for once.

 

I'd like to adulterate it by saying it's absolutely absurd that he gave him a no-trade clause.

[RynoRules]

I guess I'll officially say "good job Jim and Tim" in this thread. I never thought he'd give up on football this quickly, but I guess they had a much clearer idea of his intentions.

 

I'm going to Kinkos to frame this post!

 

Glad I am not the only one who caught that.

 

I am really excited about this. Its nice to have some unadulterated good news for once.

 

I'd like to adulterate it by saying it's absolutely absurd that he gave him a no-trade clause.

 

Curse you - I didn't see that. Oh well, its Friday and I am going to drink tonight, so screw it.

 

I hate ND, but I officially love Jeff.

[CP_414]

Guaranteed 5 years/$12.5 million is a little odd, although I guess it's not too surprising.

 

What's more odd is that they scheduled a press conference like that for the announcement.

 

Why is it odd to have a presser for this? This is really big national news with huge implications on the NFL draft. This is a chance for the Cubs to steal some more positive press.

[goonys evil twin]

Guaranteed 5 years/$12.5 million is a little odd, although I guess it's not too surprising.

 

What's more odd is that they scheduled a press conference like that for the announcement.

 

Why is it odd to have a presser for this? This is really big national news with huge implications on the NFL draft. This is a chance for the Cubs to steal some more positive press.

 

Yeah, I'd expect anytime a prospect gets an 8 digit contract it's worthy of a press conference.

[Post Count Padder]

Just saw, great news.

[soccer10k]

Can a mod combine this thread and the one in Transactions?

[Mizzou]

I don't know anything about this guy, can someone give me the cliffnotes version? Is he supposed to be something special down the road?

[soccer10k]

I don't know anything about this guy, can someone give me the cliffnotes version? Is he supposed to be something special down the road?

 

In the thread in Transactions, Raisin said he was the best pitching prospect in the Cubs system now. He excluded at least Guzman and I would assume Hill as well.

[CP_414]

I heard he was given a no-trade clause. Is that true?