Let’s Talk About Extensions: Homer Bailey, Jeff Samardzija, FA Starters, Atlanta Braves

Feb 17, 2014

You get an extension and YOU get an extension and YOU GET AN EXTENSION! EXTENSIONS FOR EVERYONE!!! … oh, except you in the back with the long hair …

When I survey the landscape that is the near-term future for the Chicago Cubs, I see a combination of things that suggest a .500 or better team in 2015 is a strong possibility: (1) a core of young positional talent that could be producing well by then; (2) hoped-for financial flexibility after this season; (3) a need for impact starting pitching to pair with the young positional talent; and (4) an exceptional free agent market for starting pitching after 2014. Against that backdrop, whenever I see things like reports that the Reds and Homer Bailey are nearing an extension, I grabz a sad. Comments from Bailey today, who would have been a free agent after this season, make it sound like an extension is going to happen. The deal figures to be in the six-year, $100+ million range, and it’s a real kick in the nuts. Bailey figured to be among the most likely of the to-be free agent starting pitchers to reach free agency. Jon Lester is a near-lock to be extended, the Tigers have made moves that imply they really want to extend Max Scherzer, and if the Reds can lock up Bailey, then maybe the Indians can lock up Justin Masterson. Only James Shields looks to be a certain future free agent. At least there’s still interesting guys like Chad Billingsley and Kenta Maeda, but if Bailey goes off the market, and if the Cubs were planning to binge in the pitching market next year, things could start to look grim quickly. No. More. Extensions.

Well, maybe not no more extensions: Bruce Levine was on with Dave Kaplan discussing the possibility of an extension for Jeff Samardzija, and he said that he believes if a deal isn’t done by Opening Day, then Samardzija is firmly on the trade market from that point on, and would ultimately be traded.

Interestingly, Levine suggested that Samardzija might be willing to take less money in an extension if he were getting a no-trade clause. The problem there, obviously, is that the front office has a policy against no-trade clauses, and if you make an exception for Samardzija, that probably pisses off guys like Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, and sets a bad precedent going forward. As much as you’d like to lock Samardzija up, and as much as you might feel like the Cubs won’t want to trade him, the no no-trade clause policy is ultimately a good one. As we’ve seen in recent years, not having the flexibility to make the best move at the best time can be a real noose.

And, in case you’re wondering: yes, I do think a Homer Bailey extension would impact negotiations with Samardzija – the two are generally in the same range of ability, and the market moves along with these kinds of extensions. That said, Samardzija isn’t eligible for free agency after this season, Bailey’s advanced and traditional stats outpace Samardzija’s, and Bailey is almost a year and a half younger than Samardzija. This will not be an apples-to-apples kind of translation.

Speaking of Bailey’s extension and the outwardly extending influence, Paul Hoynes – who broke the Bailey news – writes about whether such an extension would impact the Indians’ efforts to retain Justin Masterson beyond this year.

Speaking of extensions, generally, the Braves locked up Craig Kimbrel to a long-term deal this weekend, capping off a run of extensions (Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran, Jason Heyward (just arb years), and Kimbrel) that guaranteed more than $220 million. That these extensions came soon after the announcement that Cobb County would be building a publicly-funded stadium for the Braves is probably not a coincidence. Must be nice.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

Amed Rosario (11 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) and New York Yankees (14-6) meet Saturday at 1:05 PM ET, live on YES from Yankee Stadium. Amed Rosario and the Rays...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Yankees vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

The Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) go on the road at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees (14-6) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes Jr. (1-1) to the...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

The Minnesota Twins (6-12) host the Detroit Tigers (11-9) on Saturday after a streak of five losses. First pitch is at 2:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Bailey Ober (0-1) for the Twins and Reese Olson (0-2) for the Tigers.Twins...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

The Miami Marlins (4-16) face off against the Chicago Cubs (12-7) on the road on Saturday beginning at 2:20 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Cubs will send Javier Assad (2-0) to the mound, while Jesus Luzardo...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Cardinals vs. Brewers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

The St. Louis Cardinals (9-11) square off against the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6) on Saturday at Busch Stadium at 2:15 PM ET.The probable starters are Miles Mikolas (1-2) for the Cardinals and D.L. Hall (0-1) for the Brewers.Cardinals vs. Brewers Pitcher...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Diego Padres (11-11), led by Fernando Tatis Jr., host Justin Turner and the Toronto Blue Jays (11-9) on Saturday at 8:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch San Diego take on...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to tip off the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which will be broadcast on ABC at 8:30 PM ET....

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

NBA Prop Bets

Today’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

The NBA playoff lineup today, which includes the Phoenix Suns squaring off against the Minnesota Timberwolves as one of four contests, is not one to miss.If you're looking for NBA prop bets for today's games, we're here to assist you....

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (10-11) visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-12) on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday, Gavin Stone will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-10) versus Jose Butto and the New York Mets (11-8), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Let’s Talk About Extensions: Homer Bailey, Jeff Samardzija, FA Starters, Atlanta Braves

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular