Cubs, pitcher Jeff Samardzija avoid arbitration with 1-year deal

CHICAGO, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija has re-signed with the club for one year, avoiding arbitration, the team announced Saturday.

Samardzija compiled an 8-13 mark with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts for the Cubs last season.

The Chicago Tribune reported the deal is worth $5.3 million. It came after Samardzija had filed for $6.2 million and the Cubs countered with $4.4 million.

The team has listened to trade offers for the former Notre Dame wide receiver during the off-season and may yet try to deal him in the absence of a long-term deal, the newspaper said.

Samardzija, 29, has a 29-35 mark record and a 4.19 ERA in 189 appearances (66 starts) in his five-year career, all with the Cubs.