[jhsensation10]

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=2736354

Cubs sign Samardzija to five-year, $8 million deal

Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija has decided to forego a pro football career for that of a baseball pitcher -- and he'll be well compensated for it.

Samardzija signed a five-year deal Friday to play baseball full-time, starting in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system.

ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs reports the deal is worth $8 million, guaranteed. A news conference was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

When the Cubs drafted Samardzija in the fifth round last June, giving him a $250,000 signing bonus, he intended to play both football and baseball professionally.

Last season, Samardzija pitched for Class A Boise and Peoria, where he finished a combined 1-2 with a 2.70 earned run average. He struck out 17 and walked 12 in 30 innings.

[BESTHANDS8381]

I JUST saw it on ESPN that Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardija signed with the cubs for 5 years and WILL NOT play in the NFL.

That sux i LOVE Samardija and would have liked to see him play in the NFL. but looks like hes chosen his sport and its baseball. Hey cant blame him, A lot more money in baseball than football when it comes to player contracts. best of luck to him.

But I think this also Greatly affects the draft because thats a 1st round guy thats now outta the draft. Teams are gunna have to change the way they attack now that wanted him.

[cmart=the best]

Wow this surprised me i thought he was comin to the NFL

[kobeskool]

wow i cant believe he not goin to the nfl

[MNJET]

He must want to play baseball more, as he would have made more in the NFL, and been on the pro level right away. I had thought he would wait until after the draft to see who took him before making this kind of decision. I think he'll still be drafted by some team, be like Drew Henson, and see what pans out.

[tipceey]

he left because he was going to be a 2nd -3rd pick, his stock went way down this year, when you got guranteed money in baseball it makes no sense to leave it on the table like that, i'm happy for him i think he made the right decision because he should be an all-star in the MLB

[VaNDelaYInDusTrIEs]

He must want to play baseball more, as he would have made more in the NFL

Not likely. Pitchers always get paid big time and he would likely have a longer career in baseball then in football. Plus contracts in baseball are guaranteed. Plus football is far more grueling than baseball. I can't blame him for this move. I've heard he's better at baseball too. Oh well, it doesn't really affect the Jets, except that it's a little less depth at WR in the draft.

[Smedsthejet]

I doubt he'd have been able to be a two-sport star considering the NFL is really a year round job right now with OTAs, training camp etc. As a baseball player he'd be playing February (spring training) to September/October time. Whilst he would only pitch once every 5 days, being a starting pitcher puts a lot of strain on the body and the body needs to recuperate over the days between starts. He wouldn't be successful therefore as he wouldn't be getting that rest as he would have to be conditioning for football at the same time.

[S-Dubb]

He's a puss anyways. I never liked that pretty boy anyways

[JerseyJet]

http://mlb.mlb.com/N...t=.jsp&c_id=mlb

I really liked him and thought we had a shot at taking him in the 2nd round

[Smedsthejet]

Already been posted once in this forum and once in another forum.

[extmenace]

lol yea what you thinkin' boy go read the other topics before you post recycled news that everyone has already read about....

[extmenace]

yea but i dont blame the guy...sooo much more money in baseball and if he makes it like many believe he will, he could wind up retiring with soooo much more money then he would ever make in football. Plus he got 10 mill guraenteed so no matter what he walks away with 10 mil. w/ football he woulda got drafted towards the end of the 1st rd and would have probably got a 5 year 5 mil contract with a chance of being str8 up cut. in baeball if you can afford to get a contract just one contract in the MLB you are set for life. Get a good contract your kids are set and become a superstar your grandkids kids will be chillen. good for him....gonna be a shame not being able to watch him play in the NFL but how can you blame the guy. this will shake up the 1st rd of the draft a little....

[JetsOhFive]

More money in baseball and guaranteed contracts...Smart move for him.

[Chadforpresidentin08]

More money in baseball and guaranteed contracts...Smart move for him.

Yep and yep, not to mentioned he won't ruin his body in baseball as much as in football

[BESTHANDS8381]

He's a puss anyways. I never liked that pretty boy anyways

you just dont like ANYONE from Notre Dame do u?

every notre dame guy mentioned so far u said sux and put um down.

[Jetsfan115]

the only way he was amking more in football is if he was a top 10 pick

[VilmaBrit]

Shame! Why would anyone wanna play baseball more than football anyway??

[Smedsthejet]

Shame! Why would anyone wanna play baseball more than football anyway??

In baseball the contracts are guaranteed, career length is generally longer as there is less chance of sustaining an injury and the pay is generally better too.