The Chicago Cubs recently dangled right-hander Jeff Samardzija in front of teams looking to bolster their rotations, but didn't get the response they were looking for. As a result, the club has decided to rein the right-hander back in and potentially test the market again in the fall, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Cubs rumors: Jeff Samardzija staying put for now, may move in the offseason
Chicago hasn’t been “bowled over” by trade offers for the right-hander, so they’ll keep him close for now. If they cannot agree to an extension in the fall, however, he may be put on the block again.
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The team is still interested in signing Shark to a long-term extension, but the two sides were so far apart on negotiations this spring -- Samardzija turned down a five-year offer -- that Chicago opted to at least test the trade waters. The Cubbies weren’t looking to send the right-hander away at the deadline unless they were “bowled over” by a trade package of “frontline prospects,” according to Heyman, which apparently never happened.
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Samardzija, 28, is in his second season as a full-time starter for the Cubs. After struggling with his control in the bullpen for four seasons, the right-hander broke onto the scene in 2012 by posting a 3.81 earned-run average and striking out better than a batter per inning over 28 starts. He has done more of the same this year -- 3.75 ERA, 9.1 Ks per nine -- so he should draw significant interest in the offseason if he does re-emerge as a trading chip.
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