Does Samardzija have a future with Chicago White Sox?
This is what we know about Chicago White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija.
On Friday afternoon, he'll take the ball at U.S. Cellular Field and make his first career start against the Chicago Cubs, his former team.
Even though he wasn't available to the media Wednesday at the Cell, Samardzija is sure to be fired up about facing the team he broke in with.
When the Sox played a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in July, it was not Samardzija's turn to pitch.
"It's unfortunate, but it's OK," Samardzija said.
This is what we don't know about Samardzija.
Where will he be pitching in 2016 and beyond?
Since the day Samardzija (8-7, 4.62 ERA) was acquired by the White Sox in a Dec. 9 trade from the Oakland A's, both sides expressed a strong interest in forming a long-term relationship.
A free agent at the end of the season, Samardizja has frequently talked about how much he enjoys playing on the South Side. Growing up in nearby Merrillville, Ind., Samardzija is still a lifelong Sox fan.
General manager Rick Hahn could have traded Samardzija before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline, but the rumored returns were not satisfactory.
The White Sox also went 7-1 on a road trip to Cleveland and Boston leading up to the deadline, so keeping Samardzija for the rest of the season made sense.
As for Samardzija's future, here are the options:
Contract extension
Both sides have expressed an interest in a long-term deal, and Hahn most recently addressed the possibility at the end of July.
"From the day we acquired him, it was our hope that we would be able to find a way to make it work out," the Sox' GM said. "Obviously, if this momentum continues to grow and we're able to do something special here in October, then I think it enhances our ability to re-sign him or it enhances perhaps his desire to stay or for us to find a way to make it work."
The White Sox have won three straight and are making another push at a wild-card spot.
But they are still 4 games under .500 at 54-58 and five teams were ahead of them in the wild-card race heading into Thursday's play.
Qualifying offer
This is the most likely scenario for the Sox.
Instead of just letting him walk away via free agency, look for the White Sox to make Samardzija a qualifying offer. They would have to extend the offer within five days after the World Series ends, and Samardzija would have seven days to accept.
Qualifying offers are for one year only, and Samardzija's would likely be in the $15-17 million range.
And, just as likely, Samardzija would turn it down and the Sox would get a "sandwich" draft pick between the first and second rounds next year from the team that signs the pitcher.
Here's where it gets interesting.
Several top-end starting pitchers that are headed for free agency at season's end were traded in July.
David Price (Blue Jays), Johnny Cueto (Royals), Scott Kazmier (Astros) and Mat Latos (Dodgers) are all wearing new uniforms. They can sign with new teams as free agents in the off-season but they can't be given qualifying offers because of the trades.
Samardzija would cost interested teams a draft pick, and that could lower his value.
August trade
If the White Sox fall completely out of the wild-card race over the next week or so, they could still trade Samardzija to a contending team by Aug. 31, which would make him eligible for the playoffs.
The snag in this scenario is Samardzija would only be able to make a limited number of starts the rest of the season, impacting the value the Sox would get back in a potential deal.
White Sox-Cubs scouting report
White Sox vs. Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet/WGN today and Sunday; Comcast SportsNet/ABC 7 Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM, WBBM 780-AM
Pitching matchups: Jeff Samardzija (8-7) vs. Kyle Hendricks (6-5) today at 3:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (6-9) vs. Jake Arrieta (13-6) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (10-7) vs. Dan Haren (8-7) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
About the White Sox: They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Angels at the Cell and are making yet another push at a wild-card berth. The Sox won 2 of 3 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in July and lead the all-time series 54-47. Samardzija makes his first career start against the Cubs. The right-hander pitched for the Cubs from 2008-14. Samardzija has lost his last two starts while allowing 16 earned runs on 14 hits and 4 walks in 9⅓ innings. In the first series vs. the Cubs at Wrigley, catcher Tyler Flowers was 3-for-9 with 2 RBI. Sale beat the Cubs on July 11, allowing 1 run on 6 hits in 7 innings while striking out 10. After being held out of the starting lineup the past two games, slumping designated hitter Adam LaRoche is expected to be play on Friday.
About the Cubs: The Cubs are in a stretch of 13 games against sub-.500 clubs, a stretch that will go through Aug. 24. Even though they will be "on the road" against the White Sox, the Cubs are in the midst of a string of 19 straight days in Chicago. The DH will come in handy this weekend for Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who can use it to play fewer players out of position. Cubs pitchers entered Thursday ranked fourth in the National League in ERA (3.39). The offense ranks sixth in home runs and seventh in on-base percentage, but it's far down the list in several key categories.
Next: White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Monday-Thursday; Cubs vs. Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field, Tuesday-Wednesday
- Scot Gregor and Bruce Miles