Samardzija, Cubs agree to 1-year deal worth $5.345M

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija have agreed to a one-year, $5.345 million contract, avoiding arbitration.

The deal announced Saturday leaves the Cubs with no remaining players in arbitration.

Samardzija asked for $6.2 million and was offered $4.4 million after going 8-13 with a 4.34 ERA last year, when he made $2.765 million. The 29-year-old right-hander could be a candidate to be traded after he and the team were unable to come to terms on a long-term contract.