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Rich Hill may be a long way from Chicago, but Jeff Samardzija is getting closer. (Of course, despite their histories, Samardzija does make quite a bit more money than Hill.) The Cubs are promoting Samardzija to triple-A Iowa, reports Inside the Ivy. Yesterday, Samardzija said on his blog: "Bags are packed. I'll see you guys in Iowa." Followed by him telling us what music he is currently listening to so that "maybe just maybe, I can get some of you to get away from whatever is 'popular' on the tube." (At least he doesn't talk down to his readers.)

The Cubs are apparently intent on promoting Samardzija perpetually notwithstanding the fact that his performance has not dictated promotions. Of the four starting pitchers who have made at least nine starts for double-A Tennessee (Donald Veal, Mitch Atkins, and James Russell being the others), Samardzija has the highest ERA at 4.86. Samardzija's 44/42 K/BB ratio is also poor.

Veal, on the other hand, has a 2.82 ERA. Atkins has pitched the most innings on the team and has a 72/24 K/BB ratio.

It does not take much speculation to guess how other pitchers in the Cubs' minor league system likely feel about Samardzija's consistent promotions, even if they consider him their friend.

Many of us expected Rich Hill to be Chicago's second best starting pitcher this year. Right now, Hill is pitching more like Rick Ankiel. "Rich Hill's long search for the strike zone continued Friday night at Principal Park," writes the Des Moines Register's Randy Peterson. "The former Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher walked four, threw two wild pitches, threw wildly to first and plunked a batter while pitching just the first inning during a 12-8 loss against New Orleans."

Hill has now made 7 starts for Iowa, but has lasted just 26 innings. While striking out 32, he has also walked 28. Hill says it is a problem with his mechanics. Whatever Hill and the Iowa coaches are doing to fix his problems, things are getting worse. Hill has walked 18 in his last 9.2 innings.