Samardzija Hopes to Start in the Majors

Samardzija has been told the Cubs have an open fifth starter spot

The former Valpaaraiso Alum is looking to come into the Cubs' spring training in shape and ready to start for the major league club and not their AAA affiliate in Iowa. He told the NWI Times, "I got word that I was going to get a shot [to start] in spring training. Thats's all I need to know. There's an open spot, and during spring traning I'll fight tooth and nail to earn it."

Right now the Cubs have four or five pitchers competing for the #5 starter spot. However, Aaron Heilman and Chad Gaudin, two highly respected starting pitching prospects coming into the majors, have pitched the majority of their careers in the bullpen. Sean Marshall remains the best bet to get the fifth spot (perhaps mostly because he is a lefty), however Samardzija hopes to give Marshall some stiff competition.

All of this hinges on a potential Jake Peavy trade, but that's a whole different story.