Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team’s top free agent target should be Jake Arrieta

Right-hander Jake Arrieta will hit the open market this winter as a free agent. And, if the Chicago Cubs want to do themselves a favor, they need to make bringing him back a top priority.

If you frequent our site, you’ll know that I’ve gone back and forth on this matter for some time. Suffice to say, in June, bringing back Jake Arrieta ranked very low on my priority list. But, given his resurgence, the Chicago Cubs must do so this winter.

Just as quickly as Cubs fans chalked him up as a loss, he once again proved doubters wrong. On May 14, his earned run average spiked at 5.44. Since then, he’s shaved nearly two full runs off that mark, showing just how dominant he’s capable of being.

I still doubt a $200 million contract is in the cards, but Arrieta deserves a payday. And, if one takes a look at the list of pitchers set to hit the open market, well, suffice to say there’s not a lot that inspires confidence.

The Chicago Cubs know what they have in Jake Arrieta. A workhorse with relatively few innings on his arm (at least compared to others his age) who, above all else, desires to win championships.