Chicago Cubs: Theo Epstein and Jeff Samardzija had a private meeting?

With the Chicago Cubs letting the baseball world know that they’re going to be active throughout the winter in order to acquire multiple pitchers, a possible reunion with one former hurler could become a possibility.

The University of Notre Dame alumni and 30-year-old right-hander Jeff Samardzija had the opportunity to enter the NFL Draft as a wide receiver but opted to pursue a career in professional baseball. It paid off when the Cubs signed him to a five-year deal that included multiple options such as a no-trade clause.

After spending several seasons in working through Chicago’s minor league circuit, Samardzija made his big league debut with the Cubs on August 12, 2009, opposite Pedro Martinez who, at the time, pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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For awhile, Samardzija worked out of the bullpen for multiple skippers only to find himself in the starting rotation. Like any professional athlete, he had some up and down moments along the way but eventually found his groove by making the 2014 All-Star team with the National League despite being traded to the American League.

Before the Summer Classic, Theo Epstein, and Jed Hoyer made a deal with Oakland Athletics’ own Billy Beane which would send both Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the West Coast.

This deal provided Chicago with depth in multiple positions as they managed to squeeze Dan Straily, Addison Russell, and Billy McKinney. Like the deal the Cubs made with the Baltimore Orioles, this played in favor of the North Siders.

Now according to several sources including MLB.com, Samardzija met up with Cubs team President at a local bar in Chicago but the details of their meeting were not revealed.

Could this be a sign of things to come after a disappointing stint with the Chicago White Sox?

The team that Joe Maddon possess is far different from the one that Samardzija pitched for in 2014, so like many free agents, why wouldn’t he want to ink a (second) contract to become a part of history.

This club is very close to winning a World Series, but they need to add a couple more reliable arms to both the starting rotation and bullpen in order to reach the next level.

Aside from Samardzija, the Cubs are expected to make a push for veteran southpaw David Price. Price was brought up to the majors under Maddon when they were both with the Tampa Bay Rays, so he’s familiar with both their current skipper and Dave Martinez.

Hopefully, Martinez will remain with the organization, but he did interview for the vacant manager spot in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.