Chicago Cubs, Jake Arrieta avoid arbitration with $15.6 million deal

The 2017 Chicago Cubs Convention is officially underway and the entire city is buzzing. Having the World Series champions back home is a great feeling and now it’s time to celebrate, again.

Just a few hours before the Convention kicked off, it was announced that the Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration with Hector Rondon. In addition, reliever Justin Grimm managed to receive a new deal as well according to CBS Chicago.

So far, it has been a great day for the Cubs. Being able to avoid arbitration with several players, key players I might add has to be a great feeling. Eliminating the stress of having to deal with this later on.

With Chicago getting Rondon and Grimm out-of-the-way, everyone turned their attention to right-hander, Jake Arrieta.

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As we all know, Arrieta and his agent, Scott Boras, have expressed interest in sparking conversations for a long-term deal. A deal that will more than likely involve a ton of money, more than what Jon Lester received.

In 2015, Arrieta was on fire. Pitching his first career no-hitter while visiting the Los Angeles Dodgers in late-August. Jake went on to winning the National League Cy Young, ending the year with a 22-6 record, 236/48 K/BB ratio, 0.86 WHIP, and four complete games.

Fallback Campaign

According to CSN Chicago, the Cubs and Arrieta have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $15.6 million. Another worthy bump in pay despite his struggles throughout the regular season.

I wouldn’t call Arrieta’s 2016 campaign a bust. Yes, Arrieta started off the year with a fantastic start, pitching his second career no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. His numbers did balloon just a tad but he wasn’t all that bad.

It just didn’t seem like he was himself compared to 2015. However, his performance turned around when it was time for the postseason.

Next: Cubs, Rondon avoid arbitration

Despite a four-run outing against the Dodgers, Arrieta was great for the Cubs in October and November ball. In four postseason starts in 2016, Arrieta yielded seven earned runs on 14 hits, two homers, while issuing four walks and striking out 16 hitters.

His starts in Game 2 and Game 6 of the World Series helped keep the Cubs alive, giving up a combined three earned runs. Hopefully, this year will be much better for Arrieta as the Cubs eye another World Series title.

Either way, he’s a World Series champion and can use that as leverage when it comes down to contract talks in the future.