The San Francisco Giants added a key piece to their pitching department by agreeing to a five-year, $90 million contract with veteran free agent starter Jeff Samardzija.
According to a report by ESPN, the Giants will make an announcement of the deal when Samardzija completes a medical which will be on Tuesday.
Samardzija played for the Chicago White Sox last season, the club he joined in 2014 via a trade deal.
In the 2015 season, his first full year with the White Sox, Samardzija played and started in 32 games and had an 11–13 record with a 4.96 estimated run average (ERA), also having 163 strikeouts and 1.29 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP).
ESPN discussed in their report the Giants' current pitching situation, which Samardzija will be joining.
Aside from being an assurance to the club, 30-year-old Samardzija will be the other pitcher locked for San Francisco along with Madison Bumgarner.
Matt Cain has been slowed down by an elbow injury; Tim Hudson is already enjoying retirement; while Mike Leake and Ryan Vogelsong are facing free agency.
The report added that Tim Lincecum's hip surgery last September gives him an uncertain future with the 49ers.
Because of these issues and uncertainties with their pitchers, having Samardzija is huge for the 49ers as they are assured to have at least two experienced pitchers together with Bumgarner.
According to ESPN's report, Samardzija decided to sign with the Giants and turned down offers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The 49ers have won the World Series in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 seasons, but missed the playoffs in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 seasons.
In the previous season, San Francisco failed to defend its championship as it finished second in the National League (NL) West with a 84–78 record, which was not enough to propel them to the postseason.
