Levine: Jeff Samardzija Will Remain Hot Free Agent, Despite Downturn
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The numbers may not indicate that White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija will be a highly sought free agent after the 2015 season, as his 8-8 record and a 4.78 ERA aren't sexy numbers to digest when $100-million-a-year contracts are on the line. Yet a case can easily be made for a big payday come next fall for Samardzija, despite his third straight loss Friday and an August to forget (0-3, 12.00 ERA).
Traded twice since July 4 2014, Samardzija has had to make adjustments to his pitching technique since joining the White Sox last December. Scouts point to a drop in arm slot impacting Samardzija and his outings this season. The command of his fastball has been questioned, but certainly not his heart.
"Jeff is the ultimate competitor," said former teammate Jason Hammel, a Cubs starter. "I would welcome him on any team I was on."
With free-agent status just a couple months away for Samardzija, pressure can rear its ugly head when a destination and money are on the line.
"As for free agent years, I have had a few of those and they can be tough," Hammel said. "You want to prove your worth in the open market. A lot of things can weigh on you. You need to just take care of your business and the rest takes care of itself."
Samardzija was lit up for six runs in five innings against his old Cubs team on Friday. He surrendered three home runs, two off the bat of Chris Coghlan and one to close friend Anthony Rizzo.
"It is not easy facing a friend," Rizzo said. "You just put your head down and not really see who is pitching. Try to think it's just another right-handed pitcher. Everyone struggles at times, but as a friend, it's tough to watch, but everyone knows what kind of person and pitcher he is."
The Cubs offered a creative five-year contract in June 2014 that would have maxed out at $85 million for Samardzija. The contract had a number of moving parts, so the Samardzija camp balked. He was traded to Oakland a few weeks later.
The 2015 free-agent pitcher class includes Johnny Cueto, David Price, Zack Grienke and Jordan Zimmerman. All four may get a bigger payday than Samardzija. Then again, how much more will they get? The market still be a big one for Samardzija, who averages 200 innings and 200 strikeouts over the last four seasons.
On Friday, Samardzija was disappointed with his first start against his old team. He's certainly dismayed with the month of August and having only pitching 16 innings over his last three outings.
"It hurts, man," he said after a 6-5 loss to the Cubs. "I take things personally. I enjoy having success, I enjoy doing well. You just keep working hard. I will just try to fix what I have been doing wrong."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.