Jeff Samardzija was unhappy when the Cubs traded Scott Feldman to the Orioles.
He sees the Cubs continue to trade away starting pitchers for prospects and journeymen.
Samardzija was a risky prospect that former GM Jim Hendry signed a high bonus rookie deal that has paid more than $2 million per season in order for Samardzija to pass on an NFL career. He had command trouble early so he was moved to a relief role. Then, as the Cubs skidded down the standings, he was given another shot at starting. He took the challenge and is now a fixture in the Cubs rotation. Career stats 26-30, 3.79 ERA, 1.333 WHIP.
At 28, Samardzija is entering his prime pitching years. He is under team control for the next few years. He has hinted about getting a contract extension to buy out his arbitration years, but both sides have been far apart.
Like the rest of the starting staff that leads the NL in quality starts, Samardzija has to be getting frustrated with the annual de-construction of the pitching staff. And the drumbeat that Garza may have pitched his last game as a Cub has to be another downer in the clubhouse.
The hardest thing to do in baseball is build a starting rotation. For the second year in a row, the Cubs plan to destroy the rotation in order to gain prospects. But this week the front office said they now need to "build up the bullpen" with new arms. One does not trade away starting pitching for relievers.
Samardzija was a two sport star at Notre Dame. He knew what it is like to play big time sports. He has grown up with the attitude of winning games. Even in the minors where development is more important than wins, the drive to win games is still a focus of quality players. Major league players have that drive to win each game, but there comes a time when they are beaten down and go through the motions. Samardzija, by his comments, is not at that defeatist level. On the contrary, he is mad that the Cubs are selling off his teammates under the guise that the team will get better in the future. But winning is in the present.
It is frustrating to pitch well but still lose the majority of your games. But it has to be more frustrating when the solution to losing is not correct or improve the problem areas, but to knock down the areas of success. The front office will say that it can only sell its quality assets in order to get quality prospects in return. But then again, they just traded Scott Hairston for the Nationals 27th best prospect.
One would think that the Cubs would want to lock up four quality starters for the next four years. Build a staff like the Orioles did in the late 1970s. But that is not the case. Garza will be traded soon. Samardzija may also be discussed in trade talks because he is set for a large raise this off season. The only starter that will be around for some time is Edwin Jackson, a long term signing which was contrary to the rebuilding blueprint.
Samardzija has the right to feel frustrated with the team. Fans are also frustrated by the lack of tangible proof that the rebuilding process is going to work at the major league level. The real dark cloud on the horizon is that after this trade season, the Cubs will most likely be in worse shape than today. That means more losing and more pressure on the remaining starters to do even better. That will be quite a frustrating chore.
