|
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija decided to give up football and stay with baseball.
The former Notre Dame receiver, projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, agreed Friday to a $10 million, five-year contract to pitch for the Chicago Cubs.
“Baseball is my first love. I played it my whole life,” Samardzija said.
A 21-year-old right-hander, Samardzija was the Cubs’ fifth-round pick in last year’s amateur draft and had a 2.70 ERA in seven starts for their Class A teams at Boise and Peoria.
He returned to Notre Dame and helped the Irish make the Sugar Bowl, catching 78 passes for 1,017 yards as a senior. The Irish lost the game to LSU 41-14, but Samardzija did catch a TD pass.
His deal includes a $2.5 million signing bonus and the Cubs hold options for a sixth and seventh seasons in 2012 and 2013. If the options are exercised, the deal would be worth $16.5 million over seven years.
Samardzija said there would be no returning to football, even though he’s headed for a stint in the minor leagues, probably starting at Class A Daytona after spring training. The deal also includes a no-trade clause.
Thinking It Over
With the question of whether to play professional baseball or head to the Senior Bowl looming earlier this week, Jeff Samardzija talked with ESPN The Magazine’s Amy K. Nelson to share his thought process. Story
“He has offered at any time in the five-year period to give the [signing bonus] money back. He wanted to make everything clear that there wasn’t any turning back,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
“That was something I wanted in there to show my commitment to this organization, along with the no-trade clause,” Samardzija said.
Samardzija’s fastball was clocked at 97 mph last summer and Hendry said the Cubs project him one day to a be “high end starter.”
Samardzija, 21-6 in 50 college baseball games, said he spent 10 to 12 hours a day weighing the decision on which sport to pursue. His familiarity with the Cubs after his experience last summer was a major factor.
Hendry said he never pressured Samardzija after he returned to school last fall following his brief minor league stint.
“I felt the best thing to do was let him go back and play football. I went to see him play football, we talked regularly but it never came up, ‘What are you going to do?”‘ Hendry said. “He was going to do what he wanted to do and that’s what he should do and that’s what I told him.”
Samardzija said longevity and the chance of injury were not major factors in his decision to go with baseball over football. And he said there is no sadness about giving up football after a great career with Notre Dame. In 2005 he set the school’s single-season records for yards receiving with 1,249 and TD catches with 15.
“It’s an excitement for baseball. If there is a sadness for leaving football, I’m making the decision at the wrong time or just the wrong decision in general,” he said.
He said Irish coach Charlie Weis was supportive when he told him he was turning to baseball.
“He was excited. He wished me the best and he asked for Cubs tickets,” Samardzija said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Wow! That’s a huge contract for a player with “potential”. Jeff Samardzija could turn out to be a staff ace or he could be a bust. All signs point to ace, or atleast a #3 starter. He can hit 97 on the radar gun but sits around 94. He has a good frame, allowing him to work many innings. He really needs to work on his secondary pitches and work on his command, he had 12 walks in 30 innings last year for the Cubs minor league affiliates while triking out only 17 (he had 6 walks and only 4 strike outs over 11 innings at Peoria, his last two starts) not great numbers but it was a short stint.
This is a classic move, trying to lure an athlete to one sports and away from another. We’ll have to wait and see how this deal works out in the future.
NEW YORK (Ticker) — Mark McGwire is gone, but Sammy Sosa is on his way back.
MLB.com reported Thursday that the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement in principle with Sosa, who is fifth on the all-time list with 588 home runs but did not play at all last season.
Sosa, 38, began his major league career as an outfielder with the Rangers, but played in just 25 games for them before being traded to the Chicago White Sox
“I’m all for it,” new Rangers manager Ron Washington told MLB.com. “Any time you can get a guy of his pedigree and background and attitude and (he) shows he still has his swing…I’m for it.”
A seven-time All-Star and a national hero in the Dominican Republic, Sosa is expected to receiver an incentive-laden $500,000 minor league contract.
Texas’ hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo was Sosa’s first manager back in 1986 with the Rangers’ Rookie League team in Sarasota, Florida.
“The main thing is his attitude and the kind of shape he is in,” Jaramillo told MLB.com. “He looked in really good shape. He has been swinging the bat and working out all winter.”
Sosa and McGwire will forever be connected for their joint assault on Roger Maris’ single-season home run in 1998. McGwire ended up on top with 70 home runs, but Sosa won the National League Most Valuable Player Award with 66 home runs and 158 RBI.
Between 1998-2001, Sosa compiled 243 home runs and became the first player in major league history to hit 60 or more homers in three consecutive seasons.
However, Sosa was suspended in 2004 for using a corked bat, but claimed he just used it during batting practice.
Sosa and McGwire were two of several prominent baseball players called to testify before Congress in March 2005 about steroids in baseball. While McGwire, who had retired by then, refused to talk about his past, while Sosa denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
After that congressional hearing, Sosa had an abysmal season with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting .221 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 102 games. His slugging percentage of .376 was 161 points lower than his career mark.
© 2007 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
Not sure what to think of this signing. I’m all for giving a guy a second chance but this could be a bad idea.
Sosa could cause some distractions to this team. With all the talks of steriods and Barry Bonds the Texas Rangers have put themselves in a situation that could turn ugly. On the flip side though Sosa is said to be in great shape and is not guaranteed a roster spot. If he turns out to be a 20 homer guy then the Rangers got a bargain and some extra tickets sold. I hesitate to call this deal anything close to good though. The Rangers could use the potential roster spot for someone better and cheap like Jason Botts. If Sosa makes the team then Botts loses at-bats, and Botts isn’t even considered a prospect anymore thanks to his age (26 going into the season, 27 in July). Botts needs those at-bats to prove he can hit and deserves those at-bats more than Sosa.
We’ll see how this turns out in spring training…
By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
The Pittsburgh Pirates, filling their need for a left-handed power bat, acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez, two sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
ESPN.com could not immediately confirm if other players were involved in the deal. Neither team would comment and an announcement is not yet scheduled.
The Pirates and Braves had been discussing a LaRoche-Gonzalez swap for weeks. Pittsburgh general manager Dave Littlefield was looking to upgrade an offense that ranked last in the National League with a 141 home runs and a .397 slugging percentage.
Gonzalez should help upgrade an Atlanta bullpen that went 25-23 with a 4.39 ERA last season and blew a league-high 29 saves. Bob Wickman saved 18 games after coming over in a July trade with Cleveland, and the Braves picked up reliever Rafael Soriano from Seattle last month in a deal for starter Horacio Ramirez.
The Braves will go into 2007 with a new right side of the infield. Kelly Johnson and Martin Prado are the leading candidates to replace second baseman Marcus Giles, who signed with San Diego when the Braves declined to tender him a contract in December. Scott Thorman, who hit five homers in 128 at-bats with Atlanta last season, could replace LaRoche at first base.
The Pirates also talked to Arizona about a possible deal for Chad Tracy, and had considered Trot Nixon and several other free agents.
LaRoche hit 32 homers and drove in 90 runs last season and finished in a tie for seventh in the National League with a .561 slugging percentage.
Gonzalez went 3-4 with 24 saves and a 2.17 ERA for the Pirates in 2006.
Jerry Crasnick covers Major League Baseball for ESPN Insider.
This deal works out great for both teams. The Braves get a top notched closer in Gonzalez and the Pirates get the power hitting lefty they’ve been looking for.
I think the Pirates got the best end of this deal even though both teams got what they needed. LaRoche is due to make less than Gonzalez and the Pirates have Solomon Torres ready to step in as the closer. LaRoche is also an incredible defensive firstbaseman.
Gonzalez is an incredibly reliable reliever. The only problem with him is that he is limited to one inning at a time and righties can hit him fairly well. But Gonzalez fits perfectly in the NL East to get Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Carlos Delgado, and other lefties out in the eighth.
Good move on both ends but I believe the Braves got the short end by just a little.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Elijah Dukes was arrested this week and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a traffic stop.
The 22-year-old Dukes, who lives in nearby Brandon, was pulled over in his 2006 Dodge Charger on Monday night because of a loud music violation, police said Tuesday.
An officer smelled marijuana, and a search by a police dog found less than 2 grams of marijuana in the car’s center console, police said.
A 23-year-old passenger also was arrested. Both men were released on the promise that they appear in court later.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Dukes is listed on the Devil Rays’ 40-man roster. A third-round draft pick in 2002, the switch-hitting outfielder has a history of problems on and off the field.
Dukes was suspended for 15 games at Triple-A Durham last year for disciplinary reasons. He was suspended for five games by the International League after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes.
Dukes also publicly criticized the Tampa Bay organization last year and the conditions at Durham.
The Devil Rays said they would later release a statement about Dukes’ arrest.
How does so much talent find a way to destroy itself? This is just another stupid mistake in a pool of many stupid mistakes. I personally hope the Devil Rays trade this guy while he still has some value or punish him heavily.
Associated Press
TORONTO — Lyle Overbay decided to make a long-term commitment to the Blue Jays after Vernon Wells chose to stay with Toronto.
“I knew we had a good thing, a great clubhouse. We signed Vernon Wells. That was a big part of it,” Overbay said Monday after finalizing a $24 million, four-year contract.
Wells, Toronto’s Gold Glove center fielder, agreed last month to a $126 million, seven-year extension through 2014.
Overbay had been eligible to become a free agent after the 2008 but accepted a deal that calls for a $3.8 million signing bonus, $400,000 this year, $5.8 million in 2008 and $7 million in each of the following two seasons.
General manager J.P. Ricciardi also has signed Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus and Frank Thomas to multiyear contracts
“We think there is a core nucleus here that is built really for ’07 to ’10,” Ricciardi said. “We’re just trying to keep as good a group together as we can.”
Overbay set career highs with a .312 average, 22 homers and 92 RBIs last season after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers. His 46 doubles were fourth in the AL.
Toronto’s lineup includes right-handed power hitters Wells, Glaus and Thomas. Overbay, a left-handed batter, hit fifth for most of last season, but could hit cleanup if manager John Gibbons wants to break up the righties.
Overbay said it doesn’t matter where he hits, he’s just excited to have the newly signed Thomas in it.
Ricciardi thinks an improved offense will help make up for the loss of left-hander Ted Lilly, but said he doesn’t think the team will slug its way to the top of the AL East.
“We’ll have a very good offensive team. Most nights, we’ll have a chance to pitch well,” Ricciardi said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
This signing, possibly unnoticed by a lot of casual fans, is a freat signing. That’s right, great signing. Overbay may only be known to Blue Jay fans, or Brewer fans, and avid baseball fans. He does everything right though. He hits for average, fields his position well, has decent power and hits a ton of doubles, while showing incredible plate discipline.
His left handed bat slots nicely somewhere in the crowd of right handed hitters (Vernon Wells, Troy Glaus, Frank Thomas, and Alex Rios. He strikes out very little for a firstbaseman and draws a good number of walks, usually working the pitcher deep into counts.
Toronto’s GM J.P. Ricciardi has done what every GM wishes to do, have complete control of your 10 best players. He is going to put a team out that can compete in the beast known as the AL East.
Blue Jays fans should celebrate this signing and look forward to a very competetive future.
MIAMI — The Florida Marlins have remained on the sideline during baseball’s winter spending spree, a tight budget preventing them from addressing roster deficiencies that spoiled their surprising bid for a playoff berth in 2006.
Yet this could be the Marlins’ best offseason ever. The franchise’s long campaign for a new ballpark has gained new momentum in recent weeks, and while funding hurdles remain, officials with the commissioner’s office and local government say an agreement may finally be near.
“We’ve gone further than we’ve ever gone,” Mayor Manny Diaz said. “I’ve always been optimistic that when you have willing parties sitting at the table, you can get a deal done.”
Stadium projects in the last year for the Yankees, Mets, Nationals, Athletics and Twins have left the Marlins as the last team seeking a new home.
The proposed site — the latest in a series considered by the Marlins — is downtown a mile inland from Biscayne Bay near Interstate 95. The ballpark would include a retractable roof, and the cost could be $500 million or more.
Major League Baseball officials helped revive negotiations in recent months by taking a bigger role. Their top offseason priority is a new Marlins ballpark, said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer.
“Everyone is working very hard to get this realized,” DuPuy said. “The hope is that we can get all the planets and sun and moon aligned and get this to fruition.”
Nineteen major league teams have moved into new stadiums since 1989.
“There’s a recognition a ballpark will not only ensure that the Marlins will continue to play in the Miami area for generations to come, but provide all of the community development opportunities that have happened in so many other locations,” DuPuy said.
The Marlins, who declined to comment, have sought public money for a baseball-only home with a roof since their first season in 1993. Founding owner H. Wayne Huizenga and his successor, John Henry, sold the team in frustration after failing to reach a deal.
A year ago, current owner Jeffrey Loria investigated relocation and had a brief courtship with San Antonio. Loria also pared his payroll to the lowest in the majors, and the Marlins finished last in attendance in 2006 despite an exciting young team.
Financing has always been the biggest obstacle to a new stadium in South Florida. Last May, the franchise failed for the fifth time in six years to secure a subsidy from the Florida Legislature, and Diaz said state money must be part of the latest proposal.
New Gov. Charlie Crist said he favors using state money.
“I view it as an economic development issue,” Crist said. “It’s not just the players that benefit from having major league baseball in the community. People who sell hot dogs benefit, people who do parking benefit, and it’s a point of pride for many of our communities.
“I think it’s very important that we embrace Major League Baseball. … And I think there is a role for state government in that regard.”
The proposed ballpark deal would also require approval from the city council and Miami-Dade County supervisors, because the city and county have agreed to help the Marlins pay for the project.
It’s unknown how much state money will be needed, because costs at the downtown site are still being studied. The nine-acre plot, now mostly parking lots, is owned by the city and county.
“There’s going to be a funding gap” that state money would fill, county tax collector Ian Yorty said. “We know that. We’ve always had one. But we’re not going to know what it is until we see what the revised budget figures are.”
More than a year ago, when the Marlins considered a site next to the Orange Bowl, the projected cost was $420 million. A landfill site in suburban Hialeah remains a possibility, but the recent focus has been on downtown.
Local officials want a deal in place before they approach the Legislature for money, Diaz said. This year’s session is scheduled to conclude May 4.
“Everybody wants to see this get done,” Diaz said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
This is huge for baseball to remain in Miami. If this deal somehow doesn’t get done then I predict that the organization will be moved. Most likely to Portland, which deserves a team. The Marlins have a lot of work to get done though if this deal is to go through. We’ll wait and see what happens but things are looking bright.
ESPN
The Rocket is leaning toward pitching in 2007, but he’s in no rush to make a decision.
“I think it is more than 50/50 that Roger will play in 2007, but for a shortened season,” Randy Hendricks, one of Clemens’ agents, told the Houston Chronicle. “As I said, it will be for the Astros, Red Sox or Yankees. I don’t think any team is really ahead. Obviously, Houston has the home-field advantage.”
Looks like Roger Clemens is leaning towards one more season, or two more, or three more…
Anyway, The Rocket is either going to play for one of three teams: Astros, Yankees, or Red Sox. Clemens will probably make his decision later rather than sooner. I don’t believe any of these three teams is going to stress over his decision. They will allow Clemens the time he needs and then try to win him over. There really is no favorite. I believe Clemens will decide in June and either decide to stay close to home in Houston or play for the team that he believes will give him the best chance to win a World Series.
I personally hope this is the last season he pulls this waiting game off. I’m just glad none of the teams are waiting on him this time around.
Peter Gammons
After weeks of speculation, Mark Mulder has finally decided where he will pitch next season.
ESPN’s Peter Gammons reported Wednesday that Mulder will return to the St. Louis Cardinals. The guaranteed deal is for two years and $13 million; if he makes 30 starts in 2007 and 2008, incentives can make the deal worth three years and $45 million.
Last month, Mulder’s agent told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the left-hander had narrowed his choices to the Cardinals, Indians and Texas Rangers.
“[Indians GM] Mark Shapiro does a great job selling what the Cleveland Indians have to offer,” agent Gregg Clifton told the Plain Dealer. “I think he’s in a good spot to get Mulder to come to Cleveland.”
Mulder, 29, is recovering from rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder. He was 6-7 in 17 starts last season for the Cardinals before having surgery. He has a career record of 103-57 and a 4.11 ERA in seven major-league seasons with the Cardinals and Oakland Athletics.
Well, it only took a couple of hours to come to a decision. Mark Mulder decides St. Louis. Good move on both sides. Great move by St. Louis if Mulder returns to form.
ESPN.com news services
The New York Mets are on the verge of signing free-agent pitcher Scott Schoeneweis to a three-year deal, major league sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney.
Schoeneweis has experience as a starter and a reliever, but the Mets plan to use the 33-year-old left-hander out of the bullpen. In 71 appearances last season for the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, Schoeneweis went 4-2 with four saves and a 4.88 ERA. He held left-handed batters to a .236 average and a .292 slugging percentage.
Not so sure this is the best deal, atleast not until the dollar amounts are released. 3 years to a 33 year old lefty isn’t that big of a problem either, as long as he is coming out of the bullpen and not starting.
It will help that Schoeneweis is in the National League full time and not in American League East which is totally brutal. The Mets needed a lefty to get Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. The Phillies appear to be the toughest competition for the Mets in the NL East.
Schoeneweis should also benefit from having pitching coach Rick Peterson at his disposal now. This is a deal that needed to be made to get a lefty but they could’ve spent their dollars more wisely.
According to the Dallas Mornining News, Mulder has all the information about the three teams still in the running: Texas, Cleveland, and St. Louis. He plans to decide where he will play within the next 48 hours.
Mulder’s agent, Gregg Clifton, said all three clubs have offered similar two-year, incentive-laden contracts that could be potentially worth around $18 million.
“It’s not about money now because the offers are basically the same,” Clifton told the newspaper. “Mark has to make a baseball decision. There are many different factors he has to consider, and he wants to take his time and think it through.”
I personally think this puts Texas out of the running. Mulder is making a baseball decision, not a money decision. That is why I think he will kick Texas off his list. Texas offers him the worst ballpark to pitch in of the three teams and the worst chance of the three teams to make it to the playoffs.
Cleveland is looking to be a great destination. Their park leans slighty towards a pitcher’s park but some would consider it neutral and Cleveland has a great offense and an incredible rotation. They also have a tough division that will be up for grabs by 4 teams.
St. Louis is another great pick. He’s fimiliar with the team, city, and coaches. The park is smaller than that of Cleveland’s but the defense behind him is slightly better. St. Louis’ offense is also good but not as good as Clevelands. He would also get to stay in the National League if he chooses St. Louis. That would eliminate the DH from the lineup.
I would chose Cleveland myself. They offer him the best chance of rotaion protection and their offense is young and explosive. Not to mention that the defense is better with the addition if Josh Barfield at 2B. We have 48 hours to wait on a decision, but if I were a Texas fan I wouldn’t bet any money on this.
|
|
