Posted June 12, 200618 yr The Cubs expect to reach a four- or five-year contract agreement later this week with fifth-round draft pick Jeff Samardzija, the Notre Dame wide receiver who is intent on being a professional pitcher. Mark Rodgers, Samardzija's adviser, is coming to Chicago midweek to hammer out the details of the deal. The Cubs should have an announcement before the weekend ends. The plan is for Samardzija to pitch for the Boise Hawks in the Class A Northwest League. Their season opens June 19, and Notre Dame opens football practice in the first week of August. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry and Rodgers will have to get creative in how they structure the contract for a two-sport athlete with designs on playing in the NFL and the major leagues. Look for the money to be backloaded and dependent on which sport he chooses to concentrate on in the next few years. That means the money for Samardzija starting out shouldn't be that staggering. Mark Prior, for example, got $10 million for five years after the Cubs selected him second overall in 2001. But because of his unique circumstances, Samardzija still was available in the fifth round. http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cubnt12.html
June 12, 200618 yr Nothing stopping him under NCAA rules. However, in most cases, the contract he signs with a professional club requires the player to choose one sport. This being a major league contract (see first line) for a 5th rounder suggests such a condition will be put in place although the rest of the article doesn't reflect that.
June 13, 200618 yr Just heard his HS coach on XM this morning. The guy is going to play in some league this summer, then reports for training camp in August and after that will make a decision on which team to go to. That's why this kid got drafted in the 5th round.
June 14, 200618 yr sucks for football in general. he looks like he can become a damn good receiver in the NFL you dont see many great white receivers anymore, would be cool to have one
June 14, 200618 yr Author He's still going to play for Notre Dame I don't see how that's possible. Well it is, and that is what is going to happen. He is going to get about 8 starts for the Cubs' Class A affilliate, Idaho, and then start football practice the first week of August.
June 19, 200618 yr Author Signed a 5-year, 7.25 million dollar contract today. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2490178
June 19, 200618 yr He's still going to play for Notre Dame I don't see how that's possible. Tom Zibikowski is playing next year and made his pro-boxing debut last month. I think the rule is you can only be pro in one sport, and not the one you're playing at the NCAA level.
June 19, 200618 yr He's still going to play for Notre Dame I don't see how that's possible. Tom Zibikowski is playing next year and made his pro-boxing debut last month. I think the rule is you can only be pro in one sport, and not the one you're playing at the NCAA level. then why did deion sanders play in the NFL and MLB?
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