Did Ervin's prior 3 year compare to Samardzija's past 3 years? They aren't paying big contracts based on career years in your walk season. results-wise, yes (3.85 vs. 3.87 ERA), but Shark supported it with much stronger peripherals, which GMs seem to be putting more stock into these days you're clearly missing the main point, though; nowhere did i suggest Shark will have to accept $14M, but i do think he's very likely going to be in for a rude awakening if he expects $135M in full