Chicago Cubs: The curious case of Jake Arrieta

After winning the Cy Young award two years ago, Chicago Cubs’ starter Jake Arrieta has not been the same pitcher

Four years ago, the Chicago Cubs pulled off one of the most lop-sided trades in recent memory. Back in 2013, the Cubs sent Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Pedro Strop and of course, Jake Arrieta.

Feldman, who had a 3.46 ERA in 15 starts before the trade, recorded a 4.27 ERA in as many starts with the Orioles after the swap. After the 2013 season, Feldman left for Houston and is currently pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.

Clevenger appeared in just four games for the Orioles in 2013 but managed to stick around for two more seasons. In just 65 games between 2014 and 2015, Clevenger slashed .258/.302/.384 and was eventually shipped to the Seattle Mariners.

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In 64 appearances (58 starts) before the trade, Arrieta had recorded a 5.33 career ERA. Despite that high ERA, Arrieta has since proven to be a diamond in the rough for Chicago. In three full seasons with the Cubs, Arrieta has recorded a 50-19 record with a 2.42 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

For his efforts, Arrieta won the NL Cy Young award in 2015 and was voted to the All-Star Game in 2016.

While Arrieta’s accolades since joining the Cubs are impressive, a rough first half of 2017 is starting to plant seeds of doubt into people’s minds. These seeds of doubt may end up costing Arrieta a bundle this winter.