The saga of Jeff Samardzjia’s long-term contract status with the Cubs is already well underway, even though the trade deadline is still months out. Still hoping to sign their star pitcher to a long-term contract, the Cubs are claiming a lack of the cash needed to do so. Rather than open up their own wallet, the team is turning to crowd-funding website Kickstarter to raise the money needed to re-sign Samardzjia.Still hoping to sign their star pitcher to a long-term contract, the Cubs are claiming a lack of the cash needed to do so. Rather than open up their own wallet, the team is turning to crowd-funding website Kickstarter to raise the money needed to re-sign Samardzjia.

The copy reads: *Jeff Samardzjia is a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and he’s pretty good. Sure he doesn’t win very much but we like him and it would be great if he stuck around for awhile. Plus, he’s learning how to throw a curve and if he ever gets a slider, that would just be the coolest. I mean do you really want to see him in Milwaukee, Detroit or — worst of all — New York?
Our Team Goal: $105 Million over 5 Years
You have Pledged so far: $38.95, 12 cans of Old Style and a couple of IOUs
We Need: Just a little bit more (and no matching offer sheet from the St Louis Cardinals

Crowd-sourcers who help our cause will receive the following:

$25 donation
Pizza party at Barnaby’s of Northbrook
0 Backers

$50 Donation
A chance to be in the virtual conference room with GM Theo Epstein during Round 37 of the Supplemental Draft
0 Backers

$105 Million over 5 years donation
One faded cotton Billy Goat t-shirt (size medium-no exceptions)
7,462 Backers

Image by Vince LiFonti

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