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It all began innocently enough, with this tweet from Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago:
Had 2 rewind DVR 2 make sure heard it right, but ESPN's Indiana-ND hoops broadcast said Jeff Samardzija has resigned w/ #Cubs for $55 mil.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) December 14, 2013
There followed a bit more on the CSN Chicago website:
During a telecast of a college basketball game Saturday afternoon, Dakich said the Cubs re-signed Samardzija to a $55 million deal. Whether or not Dakich has become a source of Cubs news is still up for debate, but there's at least one person at the Worldwide Leader in Sports who felt the info was suitable for public consumption.
It certainly doesn't seem as if Dan Dakich would be the best source for the signing of a Cubs player to a contract extension. Hayes then tweeted a denial of the report:
A baseball source has shot down report that #Cubs have resigned Jeff Samardzija for $55 million.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) December 14, 2013
The reaction to these tweets can be summed up this way:
If Shark does re-sign, pretty sure Dakich won't be breaking the story.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) December 14, 2013
But wait! Dan Dakich himself joins the fray of tweets!
"@JulieDiCaro: If Shark does re-sign, pretty sure Dakich won't be breaking the story."..you would be wrong
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) December 14, 2013
Dakich claims he was saying Samardzija should sign, if 5 years/$55 million was a legitimate offer:
Asked Smarz to resign didn't say he signed ... I did say if UNC wins @ home vs Ky.. Ky never coming back.. Too dangerous..history sez
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) December 14, 2013
All right, enough of the frivolity and, instead, two serious questions: Should Shark re-sign, if this were the offer... and is this the right kind of offer for the Cubs to make?