In a clear sign that $18 million is the new market for pedestrian No. 2 starting pitchers, the San Francisco Giants have reportedly signed Jeff Samardzija to a five-year, $90 million contract.
This comes a day after San Francisco lost out to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the services of Zack Greinke. It also comes with the Giants obviously desperate to add a quality arm behind Madison Bumgarner in the rotation.
Samardzija, 30, put up his worst performance as a starter last season with the Chicago White Sox. He posted a 4.96 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 32 starts while giving up a Major League-leading 228 hits and 29 homers.
Once considered a potential staff ace as a member of the Chicago Cubs, Samardzija saw his performance decline rapidly after he was traded from Oakland Athletics to Chicago last offseason.
The former Notre Dame receiver was stellar back in 2014 with the Cubs and A's, posting a 2.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP while striking out over eight per nine innings.
In reality, it just didn't click for Samardzija in his second go around in the city of Chicago.
While $90 million over five years seems like a high price to pay, the market dictated that San Francisco would have to hit this mark if it were to nab one of the best remaining starters on the free-agent market. Heck, the Chicago Cubs just doled out $16 million per for 37-year-old starter John Lackey.
Is there is one major positive here it's that Samardzija goes to a pitcher-friendly ballpark in San Francisco. With his ability to eat up innings, this will also help San Francisco's bullpen a great deal.
In all, you could do a lot worst than having Bumgarner and Samardzija head your rotation.