Cubs end Samardzija's football days with $10 million deal

Jeff Samardzija decided to give up football and stay with baseball. The former Notre Dame receiver, projected as a first-round pick in the NFL draft this April, agreed Friday to a $10 million, five-year contract to pitch for the Chicago Cubs.

Samardzija, 21 year-old right-hander, was the Cubs' fifth-round pick in last year's amateur draft and made seven starts for their Class A teams at Boise and Peoria last summer, posting a 2.70 ERA.

He returned to Notre Dame and helped the Irish make the Sugar Bowl, catching 78 passes for 1,017 yards. He also played baseball during his career at Notre Dame Samardzija, 21-6 in 50 college baseball games, had his fastball clocked at 97 mph last summer.

• Reliever Mike Gonzalez joined the Braves on Friday after Atlanta finalized its four-player trade that sent first baseman Adam La Roche to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outfielder Jamie Romak also was sent to the Pirates and shortstop Brent Lillibridge to the Braves. Gonzalez, a 28-year-old left-hander, was 3-4 with a 2.17 ERA and was 24 for 24 in save chances, but he didn't pitch after Aug. 24 because of elbow tendinitis.
• Outfielder Trot Nixon agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, an addition that gives the club more depth and veteran leadership. The 32-year-old Nixon had spent his entire with the Boston Red Sox, who selected him in the first round of the 1993 amateur draft. Nixon batted .268 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 114 games last season.
• David Wells is all but penciled in as the No. 5 starter for his hometown San Diego Padres.

The Padres and Wells' agent agreed in principle Friday to a $3 million, one-year deal that gives the 43-year-old left-hander the chance to make another $4 million in incentives.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said the two sides need to finalize some contract language and Wells must pass a physical. He expects the deal to be finalized by Monday or Tuesday.

The Padres obtained Wells from Boston for the stretch run on Aug. 31. He went 1-2 with a 3.49 ERA in five starts for the two-time NL West champions before losing Game 2 of the division series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

-- The Associated Press