Jeff Samardzija put aside his dream of becoming a two-sport star Friday when he chose a baseball career over a chance to play in the NFL.
The Cubs signed the former Notre Dame wide receiver to a five-year, $10 million major-league deal, with two club option years that could increase the value to $16.5 million.
The right-handed pitcher was so intent on becoming a Cub he asked for and received a no-trade clause and promised to return his $2.5 million signing bonus if he leaves the sport before his contract ends.
“If I decide to do something else, whether it’s football, lacrosse, swimming, whatever it may be, [the bonus] is all going back,” Samardzija said. “That’s something I wanted in there because I wanted to show my commitment to this organization, along with the no-trade clause that was built in.
“This is where I want to be. This is what I want to do, and I didn’t want any doubts about it.”
Samardzija, an All-America receiver from Valparaiso, Ind., was projected by NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as a top-20 pick in the ’07 draft.
Asked on Friday if he would consider trying football if his baseball career doesn’t pan out, he said: “No, that [contract] means it’s closed.”
Samardzija then asked reporters: “Is it closed?”
Yes, they replied.
“It’s closed,” Samardzija repeated with a grin.
General manager Jim Hendry denied published reports Samardzija already had a deal with a $7.25 million guaranteed bonus if he opted to choose baseball over the NFL. Samardzija was 8-2 with a 4.33 earned-run average in 15 starts his junior season at Notre Dame and was ranked No. 20 on Baseball America’s top prospects list when the Cubs made him a fifth-round draft pick last June.
Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken had him rated No. 1 on his draft chart, so the Cubs took a risk in drafting a player who seemed headed for the NFL. Samardzija then had a 2.70 ERA in seven Class A starts before returning to Notre Dame for his senior year, where he finished his career in the Irish’s loss to LSU in the Sugar Bowl.
Samardzija’s father, Sam, said the decision was surprising even to him.
“I honestly thought we were going to the NFL,” he said. “We were already setting up for the [NFL scouting] combine, I was looking forward to going to the Senior Bowl, getting ready to get tickets. But Jeff is so relieved, and I’m relieved and happy for Jeff.
“I have to admit, though, I was leaning more toward football. It was selfish, but I wanted to go through the whole thing–draft and everything, because he was going to be a first-round pick.”
Samardzija will make $300,000 in ’07, $600,000 in ’08, $1.3 million in ’09, $2.5 million in 2010, $2.8 million in ’11, with club options for $3 million in ’12 and $3.5 million in ’13. He also can opt for arbitration when he’s eligible, as Mark Prior did last year, voiding his original contract.
Hendry said Samardzija, 22, probably will start at Class A Daytona, but he figures to be on a fast track to the majors.
“We didn’t give him a five-year contract thinking he wasn’t going to get there until the fourth or fifth year,” Hendry said.
“When you have that kind of talent, that kind of makeup, they always let you know when they’re ready.”
Manager Lou Piniella was excited Samardzija chose the Cubs over the NFL and told him he made the right move.
“Our scouts seem to think this young man has a ton of ability and can be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher at the major-league level in a couple of years,” Piniella said. “Now I know why our general manager spent five days in New Orleans during the Sugar Bowl.”
After forgoing football, Samardzija’s content with being a star pitcher for the Cubs, and with that kind of contract, no one will expect anything less. That’s OK with him.
“I like pressure,” he said. “You always have to find something that gets you going. You always have to find something that gets you up every day and prods you to do your best on any given day. And if that’s what it is, that’s what is it.
“Ultimately, what gets me up every day is getting guys out at the plate. I have a die-hard love for [baseball]. It was definitely something I didn’t want to give up.
“A lot of money? A little money? It really didn’t matter. I’ve been doing it my whole life for no money, so it really doesn’t make any difference.”
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psullivan@tribune.com
