Jeff Samardzija to play Baseball

[The Balanced Man]

ESPN Radio is reporting that Jeff Samardzija, Wide receiver out of Notre Dame, has signed a 9 million dollar 5 year deal with the Chicago Cubs today, and will not be entering the NFL draft.

Link when I can find one.

[sportsaddict]

Wow. I thought for sure he would enter the NFL draft.

I didn't even realize he was a good pitching prospect. I just thought he was an average player. Does he have any shot at the majors?

[CC]

This is a Drew Henson type situation, except Henson was the better prospect in both sports. I think the Shark will regret this, you get to the big leagues a lot faster in football than you do in baseball.

[The Balanced Man]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2736354

[roninmedia]

What I heard on ESPN radio.

Jeff has a 96 mph fastball with a good breaking pitch. Cubs believe he could be a major leaguer as early as 2008/2009.

[Cowboys 4 life]

This is a Drew Henson type situation, except Henson was the better prospect in both sports. I think the Shark will regret this, you get to the big leagues a lot faster in football than you do in baseball.

I think this is a smart move on his part. Basball is guaranteed money football isnt. I think he might have been a late 1st rounder / early 2nd. That would not be that much money. He would have to succeed then get the big cash when he becomes a FA. Not to mention the hits, concussions, injuries you take when playing football. Get hurt and you can get dropped in a heartbeat with no income.

At least he guaranteed himself 10 million less taxes. And if he is that good then he will still make a ton.

[CC]

This is a Drew Henson type situation, except Henson was the better prospect in both sports. I think the Shark will regret this, you get to the big leagues a lot faster in football than you do in baseball.

I think this is a smart move on his part. Basball is guaranteed money football isnt. I think he might have been a late 1st rounder / early 2nd. That would not be that much money. He would have to succeed then get the big cash when he becomes a FA. Not to mention the hits, concussions, injuries you take when playing football. Get hurt and you can get dropped in a heartbeat with no income.

At least he guaranteed himself 10 million less taxes. And if he is that good then he will still make a ton.

I meant more in terms of pro success than in terms of financial stability.

[Indys_time]

You called him the Shark CC, and wow my brother was just telling me about how he did look like one, and I eventually saw some resemblence. , anyway it might have been the right decision.

[jayday]

Someone will still take a flyer on him late in the draft....

Good move by him....Baseball is where the money, and long term health is at....

[ShoelessJoe]

Someone will still take a flyer on him late in the draft.....

That's 100% correct. Just like the Cowboys did a few years back with Drew Henson someone will draft him so they have the rights to him. If not this year, then in the near future, especially if he takes awhile to get to the MLB.