Cubs’ Jeff Samardzija rejects 5-year extension worth over $85 million

Get ready, folks. Things are about to get interesting.

According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, right-hander Jeff Samardzija has turned down the Chicago Cubs’ latest contract offer – a five-year deal worth somewhere around $85 million. This deal pales in comparison to the one given to Cincinnati Reds’ right-hander Homer Bailey last year (six years, $105 million) and, according to Morosi’s source, Samardzija appears to be on his way out of Chicago in the next month as long as he stays healthy.

Samardzija had scouts from both the Royals and Giants at his most recent start and was widely anticipated to be traded in the next month before reports of the two sides working toward a potential deal surfaced in recent days. Now, after news of his rejection of the Cubs’ offer, once again, it appears he’s headed out the door.

Samardzija, who turns 30 in January, is reportedly seeking a deal near $100 million – somewhere between Bailey’s deal with the Reds and Matt Cain‘s mega-contract with the Giants (six-year, $127.5 million). Last season, the right-hander struck out 214 batters in 213 2/3 innings of work and has a career earned run average of 3.98 as both a starter and a reliever.

With the package the Cubs received last year in the Matt Garza trade, it appears that the organization could be eyeing an even larger haul for their workhorse right-hander leading up to next month’s trade deadline.