Jeff Samardzija has improved this season and there is a chance that he could compete for a spot in the starting rotation of the Cubs next year. Samardzija's rise into a reliable reliever this season includes him embracing his bullpen role and stability in that position after three years of shuttling between roles with the Cubs and in the minors. "He's gotten really good the second half commanding his pitches, throwing a second pitch for a strike, with less pitches per inning, so his value is going up," pitching coach Mark Riggins said, "and it makes you think a little bit more for next year, could he throw six or seven innings and keep the pitch count [down]? "It's something that has to be talked about in the winter time, but there is a possibility, yes."