Chicago Cubs: Fans don’t need to worry, Jake Arrieta will get what he deserves

If you’re unfamiliar on how professional sports work, the better you play the more you will eventually make when your contract is either about to run out, or you become a free agent and find yourself representing another team.

The business side of things can get ugly, there’s no sugar-coating that fact.

Now before we get started, this will not be the case for both the Chicago Cubs and ace right-hander Jake Arrieta. The Cubs, however, took care of six other players, avoiding arbitration with Travis Wood, Justin Grimm, Hector Rondon, Adam Warren, Pedro Strop, and Chris Coghlan.

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That left Arrieta without a brand new deal as members of the 2016 roster and alumni prepared themselves for their 31st annual Cubs Convention.

And of course, shortly after skipper Joe Maddon was introduced to those in attendance, Jake The Snake was the last to be announced and surely received one of the loudest ovations after a stellar 2015 campaign.

At least, that’s what I picked up after reading several live tweets of the opening ceremony that began at 6 p.m. central time yesterday evening. Wish I could have been there, personally, but who knows, maybe next year.

Side note: If you’re reading this and happen to be there, be sure to comment below with your thoughts on the first two days of the convention and include your favorite moments. We’d like to hear from each and every one of you who attended the weekend event.

Back to the topic at hand.

With teams reporting to training camp in February, Arrieta isn’t the only star who hasn’t received a new deal. According to FOX Sports, others such as Aroldis Chapman, Josh Donaldson, Neil Walker, and J.D. Martinez are currently talking with their front-office in hopes of getting something done soon.

When it comes to the Cubs and Arrieta, both sides have a bit of distance between what they had placed on the table. The Cubs offered $7.5 million while Arrieta’s camp, which includes Scott Boras, were hoping to receive a little man than what was offered.

"“It’s not going to be $7.5 million. I think we’re far apart, but that shows how things go. It happens a lot. They have their number, we have ours ($13 million). We like our case. Something will get worked out.” – Arrieta via Chicago Tribune"

When you think about it, $13 million isn’t all that bad for someone who proved to be the best pitcher in the National League ahead of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

Both sides have plenty of time to work something out, including a long-term deal before the end of the 2016 campaign. If they are unable to agree on the $13 million mark, $11 million could be the mark, putting his salary ahead of Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

Either way, Jake Arrieta will get the money he deserves. At least, I’m hoping the Chicago Cubs reward him heavily for one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.