Chicago Cubs Rumors: Former Cubs hurler Jeff Samardzija clears waivers

Former Chicago Cubs hurler Jeff Samardzija cleared waivers on Monday and his former club is one of a handful of teams he is unable to block a trade to.

With the waiver deadline nearing, the San Francisco Giants successfully passed right-hander Jeff Samardzija through waivers. How likely a trade is remains to be seen. That being said, one of his former teams, the Chicago Cubs, are a notable exception to his no-trade list.

The Cubs originally drafted the former Notre Dame football standout back in the day. He spent a good chunk of his career on the North Side, as well. Eventually, he was packaged in the deal that brought Addison Russell to Chicago.

With Jake Arrieta poised for a major payday at season’s end and John Lackey likely to retire, the Cubs’ rotation could lose two big pieces. Now, they may go out and bring back one of these arms, but if they don’t, there are a lot of question marks heading into 2018.

Samardzija, under team control through the 2020 season, has upside – he always has. Here’s the latest on the Giants’ right-hander – and the odds he returns to the Windy City.