Chicago Cubs: What lies ahead for right-hander Jake Arrieta?
![WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F802215572-chicago-cubs-v-washington-nationals-jpg-850x560-6077b15a19a60e452484fe1ff8f2e703.jpg)
Here’s the part of the article I feel like I have to talk about, but I feel unqualified to talk about it.
I’m not an agent, I do play one on TV though. In all seriousness, understand that what I’m about to say is completely presumptuous and it’s just going off of my own opinion.
I think Jake Arrieta has lost over $100 million. And, after his start against Baltimore, he offered a very different take on his situation than what we’ve heard in the past:
Jake Arrieta begins second-half/final push before free agency: "If I have to leave, I don't want to leave without another ring."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 16, 2017
Remember, the Cubsa nd Arrieta were having talks about a possible contract extension after the 2015 season. You might remember Arrieta won this little award called the Cy Young Award and his stock was at an all-time high.
Two of the reasons why the deal didn’t get done: Arrieta’s agent, Scott Boras, is known for taking his players to free agency. Secondly, the Cubs seemed a little hesitant to offer Arrieta too long of a contract because they hadn’t seen enough sustained success.
That’s why I said earlier: ‘what if they signed a contract extension around the All-Star Break this time last year?’
It would’ve been a whole different story. Arrieta was 30 at the time and just showed everyone that he could be successful for a long period of time.
If they had signed a deal at that time, I think it would’ve been in the neighborhood of six years and $180 million. That would’ve put Arrieta in the top three in salary for pitchers in MLB history.