The Chicago White Sox extended a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija, the team announced.
Even though he is coming off his worst season of his Major League career, Samardzija is expected to decline the offer and look to free agency.
If he declines and signs with a different team, the White Sox will receive a compensation pick for the MLB Draft in June.
Samardzija should not have a problem finding a multi-year deal from a team, like the Detroit Tigers, betting on a bounce-back season. Detroit is looking for a few second-tier free agent pitchers, which Samardzija would fall under the category.
The only concern for Detroit is if general manger Al Avila will give up a draft pick for the right-handed pitcher. If the Tigers go in a different route, they could add: Ian Kennedy, Kyle Kendrick, Scott Kazmir, Yovani Gallardo or Doug Fister, just to name a few possible free agents of second-tier rating.
The 30-year-old, drafted in the 5th round of the 2006 MLB Draft, struggled over 2015 with the White Sox. Samardzija finished 11-13 with a horrid 4.96 ERA and 1.294 WHIP. To reiterate, he gave up an MLB-leading 228 hits, 118 earned runs and 29 home runs.
Samardzija's best season came with the Cubs and Oakland Athletics in 2014. He went 7-13 with a 2.99 ERA in his only career All-Star season. The first season for Samardzija as a starting pitcher came in 2012, which he went 9-13 with a 3.81 ERA over 28 starts.
Over the eight-year career, The Shark has gone 47-61 with a 4.09 ERA over 254 pitching appearances - 131 starts. Believe it or not, Samardzija has one career save, but he will be used as a starter regardless of where he ends up in 2016.
Samardzija has potential, but will look to chance the scenery to turn raw talent into something special, which is why he is expected to decline the qualifying offer.