Cubs Contemplating Samardzija Call-Up in September

[SouthSideRyan]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

Not really. Patterson was called up during the minor league season, so he lost development time by sitting on the bench in Chicago. By the time Smardz is called up the minor league season will be over, so he won't be missing out on any development time.

 

The Cubs are likely to call up all the guys that have already gotten the call this year:

 

Ohman, Petrick, Gallagher, Cherry, Cotts and Rapada (in approx. that order)

 

Soto, Fox and Patterson

 

That's already a lot of players.

 

If they do call him up I doubt he gets more than one appearance, maybe 2 if the race is over and its the last day of the season. That's probably not going to hurt him nor will it help him very much.

 

They should call up all of them, but Piniella made it sound like there'll only be a few additions to the roster. I don't know why, unless it's an order from the higher ups to not spend too much on September call ups like the Expos in '03. If we only bring up 3 pitchers and Samardzija is one of them, it's just a horrible, horrible idea.

[Banedon]

Generally speaking I think you are right, but this kid is probably an exception. He played college football at Notre Dame as a star player. I don't think fan burden from a September call-up will get to this kid the same as any other pitcher. He's already been exposed to more pressure than he might ever see in his baseball career.

 

I guess the question that no one has answered is....why take the chance? What is the benefit of bringing him up in September? He's already played in Spring Training with the major league club, so he's met the guys. He's had his struggles in the minor leagues, and clearly is not ready to help the major league club. The only things that can happen here appear to be negative.

 

Like I said before, it's all risk and no reward. What's the plus side?

 

And I just don't buy the "He's played under big star pressure before". Lots of athletes have played under big spotlight pressure in college and failed in the pros.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

Not really. Patterson was called up during the minor league season, so he lost development time by sitting on the bench in Chicago. By the time Smardz is called up the minor league season will be over, so he won't be missing out on any development time.

 

The Cubs are likely to call up all the guys that have already gotten the call this year:

 

Ohman, Petrick, Gallagher, Cherry, Cotts and Rapada (in approx. that order)

 

Soto, Fox and Patterson

 

That's already a lot of players.

 

If they do call him up I doubt he gets more than one appearance, maybe 2 if the race is over and its the last day of the season. That's probably not going to hurt him nor will it help him very much.

 

They should call up all of them, but Piniella made it sound like there'll only be a few additions to the roster. I don't know why, unless it's an order from the higher ups to not spend too much on September call ups like the Expos in '03. If we only bring up 3 pitchers and Samardzija is one of them, it's just a horrible, horrible idea.

 

I think, in theory, it makes a lot of sense to call up quite a few guys because there seems to be such little downside to doing so. However, I think the reason so many, if not all teams call up so few guys is because the extra numbers can be disruptive.

 

The already crowded clubhouse (especially at Wrigley) would become even more crowded. The bullpen and dugout would become very crowded. I think the slight chance that you may need to use 33 players in a game is outwighed by the daily disruption to workplace comfort. Most teams, especially in a pennant race, don't want to change things too much.

[Balsa]

Jeff's ascent.

 

2006 (age 21):

NCAA 97.2 IP

A- 19 IP

A 11 IP

 

2007 (age 22):

A+ 107 IP

AA 17.1 IP (as of august 18)

MLB?

 

That's fast for anyone, let alone someone who really hasn't done that well.

[Guest]

Any chance that it could possibly be written into his contract? I think it's farfetched - it's one thing to guarantee an invite to the big league squad in ST, another for a guaranteed September callup.

 

That said, everything I've heard is that Samardzija has been really, really impressive in his 3 starts at AA. Hopefully he's turned a corner on the mechanics with his secondary pitches and it's not just a 3 start peak.

[jersey cubs fan]

Any chance that it could possibly be written into his contract? I think it's farfetched - it's one thing to guarantee an invite to the big league squad in ST, another for a guaranteed September callup..

 

Well, they did give him a no-trade clause, absurd for a prospect, especially such an unspectacular one as him. For a team that's really talked about rewarding performance and giving opportunities to guys who earn it, I'd have to wonder how it would sit with others if he did get a call.

[Brian]

Any chance that it could possibly be written into his contract? I think it's farfetched - it's one thing to guarantee an invite to the big league squad in ST, another for a guaranteed September callup.

 

Didn't Andrew Miller have a guaranteed call up for last year? I think we would have heard about it though if it was the case.

[Bruce Miles]

You don't have to worry about it. The Cubs aren't calling him up.

[nilodnayr]

2 things...

 

1) When was Samardz sent down? I must have completely missed him being brought up. Why the hell did they waste an option year

2)Can he please learn how to strike people out before we call him up?

[Bruce Miles]

2 things...

 

1) When was Samardz sent down? I must have completely missed him being brought up. Why the hell did they waste an option year

2)Can he please learn how to strike people out before we call him up?

 

They didn't waste an option year. He already was on the major-league roster when they optioned him during spring training.

[nilodnayr]

2 things...

 

1) When was Samardz sent down? I must have completely missed him being brought up. Why the hell did they waste an option year

2)Can he please learn how to strike people out before we call him up?

 

They didn't waste an option year. He already was on the major-league roster when they optioned him during spring training.

 

Ok good. NC made me feel like an absent father who doesn't pay any attention to their kids and then comes back and is like, "wow, you graduated highschool? I had no idea you were even in highschool."

[Guest]

Any chance that it could possibly be written into his contract? I think it's farfetched - it's one thing to guarantee an invite to the big league squad in ST, another for a guaranteed September callup.

 

Didn't Andrew Miller have a guaranteed call up for last year? I think we would have heard about it though if it was the case.

 

Yes, he did.

 

Thanks for the info, Bruce. I figured he wasn't getting called up mainly because of how many innings he's thrown, especially considering its his first full season in pro ball.

[SouthSideRyan]

2 things...

 

1) When was Samardz sent down? I must have completely missed him being brought up. Why the hell did they waste an option year

2)Can he please learn how to strike people out before we call him up?

 

They didn't waste an option year. He already was on the major-league roster when they optioned him during spring training.

 

Ok good. NC made me feel like an absent father who doesn't pay any attention to their kids and then comes back and is like, "wow, you graduated highschool? I had no idea you were even in highschool."

 

 

Unless this is a reference I'm missing, really really weird analogy.

[badger1679666666]

 

Like I said before, it's all risk and no reward. What's the plus side?

 

And I just don't buy the "He's played under big star pressure before". Lots of athletes have played under big spotlight pressure in college and failed in the pros.

 

I don't necessarily think the argument impacts anything, but very few baseball players have EVER played under the pressure that Smarz faced while at ND. Not even those in the CWS. That Notre Dame-USC game was ridiculous pressure wise.

 

That being said, I don't think that's an argument for bringing him up, but who cares if he makes an appearance or two. He gets a taste of wrigley, enjoys the excitement of a pennant race. He isn't gonna be used all that much. I know I'd enjoy it.

[soccer10k]

How many options does a player have and what exactly does it mean when they run out?

 

Yes, this is a serious question.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Not sure on # of options, but once a player doesn't have any, he has to clear waivers before being reassigned in the minors.

[wvcbxl]

You don't have to worry about it. The Cubs aren't calling him up.

 

Common sense prevails.

 

:thumleft:

[JeffH]

Typically, a player has three option years.

 

I believe that, for some reason, Samardzija actually has four.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Like I said before, it's all risk and no reward. What's the plus side?

 

And I just don't buy the "He's played under big star pressure before". Lots of athletes have played under big spotlight pressure in college and failed in the pros.

 

I don't necessarily think the argument impacts anything, but very few baseball players have EVER played under the pressure that Smarz faced while at ND. Not even those in the CWS. That Notre Dame-USC game was ridiculous pressure wise.

 

That being said, I don't think that's an argument for bringing him up, but who cares if he makes an appearance or two. He gets a taste of wrigley, enjoys the excitement of a pennant race. He isn't gonna be used all that much. I know I'd enjoy it.

 

I don't think a team in contention for the playoffs should be making September call-up decisions based on who will enjoy it most. Samardzija doesn't deserve a call-up, he hasn't been good this year, and has been terrible for much of it. There's absolutely no reason to even consider it.

 

As for the pressure at ND storyline. A big league pitcher is going to deal with a hell of a lot more pressure than a freaking college receiver.

[davearm]

 

Like I said before, it's all risk and no reward. What's the plus side?

 

And I just don't buy the "He's played under big star pressure before". Lots of athletes have played under big spotlight pressure in college and failed in the pros.

 

I don't necessarily think the argument impacts anything, but very few baseball players have EVER played under the pressure that Smarz faced while at ND. Not even those in the CWS. That Notre Dame-USC game was ridiculous pressure wise.

 

That being said, I don't think that's an argument for bringing him up, but who cares if he makes an appearance or two. He gets a taste of wrigley, enjoys the excitement of a pennant race. He isn't gonna be used all that much. I know I'd enjoy it.

 

I don't think a team in contention for the playoffs should be making September call-up decisions based on who will enjoy it most. Samardzija doesn't deserve a call-up, he hasn't been good this year, and has been terrible for much of it. There's absolutely no reason to even consider it.

 

As for the pressure at ND storyline. A big league pitcher is going to deal with a hell of a lot more pressure than a freaking college receiver.

Sorry badger, you're not getting called up. :wink:

[Guest]

Typically, a player has three option years.

 

I believe that, for some reason, Samardzija actually has four.

 

Correct, Samardzija has four option years. This is because players who have not completed five full seasons on an active minor league or major league roster before using up their first three options get a fourth minor league option year. Basically, this covers players who sign major league contracts when they're drafted.

 

By the by, for those concerned, it looks like Angel Guzman should have another option year for next season.

[italianocubsfan7]

He should pitch the make-up Sept. 10 game vs. Cards.

[SouthSideRyan]

He should pitch the make-up Sept. 10 game vs. Cards.

 

Yeah, him, or any other pitcher on the 40 man roster instead.

[JeffH]

By the by, for those concerned, it looks like Angel Guzman should have another option year for next season.

 

Is that right? Outstanding.

 

As soon as he's "healthy" and pitching well, trade him before the duct tape and bailing wire break.

[CubinNY]

By the by, for those concerned, it looks like Angel Guzman should have another option year for next season.

 

Is that right? Outstanding.

 

As soon as he's "healthy" and pitching well, trade him before the duct tape and bailing wire break.

 

Or the Cubs could decide if they want him as a RP or a SP and not jerk him around.