Jeff Samardzija rejects White Sox qualifying offer

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Jeff Samardzija rejected his qualifying offer on Friday meaning the White Sox will receive an extra pick in the 2016 amateur draft.

The former White Sox and Cubs pitcher elected to remain a free agent instead of accepting a one-year, $15.8-million offer extended by the team last Friday. Prior to the 4 p.m. CST deadline, free agents Brett Anderson, Matt Wieters and Colby Rasmus elected to accept their team’s qualifying offers.

Samardzija, who went 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA in 32 starts for the White Sox in 2015, has already drawn significant interest on the free agent market. Once he signs with another team the White Sox will be awarded an extra pick in between the first and second rounds as compensation.

[NBC SHOP: Gear up, White Sox fans!]

Earlier this week, general manager Rick Hahn discussed Samardzija’s season and how he believes it won’t affect the free agent’s market.

“It didn’t work,” Hahn said. “These things happen from time to time. A guy with a relatively solid proven track record occasionally has a year that ultimately when all is said and done looks like an aberration. That could well be what happens with Jeff. Obviously it’s unfortunate that it happened on our watch and we all had high expectations, including Jeff of himself. In terms of the impact on him going forward or us going forward, I think it’s relatively non-existent.

“He’s still very strong. Again, another guy who’s going to have a robust market I’d expect.”

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