After a spectacular 2016, the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta are looking to agree on a long-term deal. But as of now, the two sides seem far apart on the length of the deal.
After having arguably the best season of a Chicago Cubs’ pitcher in their history, Jake Arrieta was looking to cash in on a long-term deal. After the Cubs inked him to a one-year $10.7 million deal, it’s still very possible the could lock him up for such a deal, but according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network they weren’t on the same page just yet as far as the terms of a deal.
Following a 22-6 season with a 1.77 ERA you can’t really blame the guy for trying for Cy Young money because, well, he’s a Cy Young winner. But pitchers like David Price, Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander just to name a few have longer track records. That’s not to say last year was a flash in the pan, but the Cubs being unwilling to go seven years just yet is understandable.
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Arrieta will be arbitration-eligible again after this season, so free agency could loom following 2017. There’s still time for the Cubs and Arrieta to put a deal together. But with free agency approaching, it didn’t make sense to do a deal two years prior.
Arrieta had his breakout season with the Cubs in 2015 after being one of the Baltimore Orioles top prospects for several years. The stuff was always there, but Arrieta said he was never allowed to pitch like he wanted as the organization tinkered with his mechanics often. Under the tutelage of Cubs’ pitching coach Chris Bosio, Arrieta has blossomed into one of the best in the game with the confidence to match.
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While appearing on the Spiegel and Goff show he was asked if any hitters in the NL scare him. “Not right now” was the answer, and it surprised everyone. But Arrieta believes in his stuff and his ability, and if he executes his pitches and his plan the outcome will be favorable. Hard to argue with a guy who won 22 games last season and tossed a no-hitter.