Jeff Samardjiza.
What do we think?
It seems like... has he kinda come around?
Maybe found himself a position in the middle relief area somewhere?
Maybe there's something to the not switching him back and forth from starter to mop-up guy like they did before.
Last night he went in for exactly 3 guys and got 3 outs: 1 of them a pesky Hunter Pence pop up to 3rd, 2 of them strikeouts, one of which was Carlos Lee.
I mean, overall considering the large contract right out of college, he's been a huge disappointment, right?
Well, that $10 mil, 5 year contract is about to expire unless they exercise options:
"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."
Hmm... should they exercise?
Lets look around on ESPN's stats.
So far this year, he's pitched about the same number of innings he pitched the last two (sad) years.
Lets keep looking at whole pages of stats, so you can see where he ranks in different stuff.
Like innings:
Did you know he was 3rd in the NL in innings?
I had no idea.
He's obviously got a way more important role on the team now.
What about ERA?
Not the best thing to judge a reliever by - there are a ton of guys in front of him that have only a couple innings. Hey look - he's tied with Sergio Mitre and better than Kerry Wood?
Okay, what about strike-outs?
Number 8. Not bad. Just one behind Marmol.
There's Sean Marshall down there at 13, too.
What about WHIP?
108th?
Remember, he's got way more innings than most of these guys, but uh, not so good.
Wonder why?
Hits?
Oops.
Numero eighteen with 41 hits given up.
But still, that's just 1 more hit than bearded superstar closer Brian Wilson.
SO glad the Cubs got rid of Aaron Heilman, right?
Too bad there's still "CHC" after J Grabow's name, though.
Uh oh, think I found the bad thing.
He has walked 34 dudes.
The number one BB ranking in the NL, Jeff Samardzija.
That's horrible, but still...
I really had to look at all this stuff for myself, because before I did I was gonna say hell yes, keep the guy.
That opinion was based on just watching this season.
Of course, if this season was say, geography class in 7th grade, I still wouldn't know the capital of New Hampshire.
But I watch a bit, and my gut would say he's definitely getting better.
The stats show he's still lacking control.
What do you guys think?
If that little quote up there is still true, then it's $6.5 mil for 2 more years of Samardzija.
Is he worth it?
ps: Uh, I still don't know the capital of New Hampshire.
