Chicago Cubs: Why the Cubs won’t sign Yu Darvish this winter

Jake’s demands too steep?

It’s likely a foregone conclusion that Arrieta will pitch elsewhere in 2018.

In March 2016, it was reported that Arrieta desired a long-term contract of six-to-seven years and expressed that the Cubs came in shorter than he wanted. That of course, was coming off his 2015 Cy Young season, and he still had two seasons to show that wasn’t a fluke.

While Jake has proven his stuff is good, it’s not exactly the best business model of extending pitchers long-term, and already past their age 31-year season.

This past March, Arrieta reportedly sought $200 million. With agent Scott Boras representing him, and after comments Boras has made in recent days, we know Arrieta will get his money somewhere.

So if Chicago was not inclined to give that to Arrieta, why would they do that for a pitcher such as Darvish, who’s the same age as Arrieta – Arrieta turns 32 in March – and coming with the injury history attached?

Arrieta has pitched 300 more innings compared to Darvish across their respective big-league careers. That doesn’t account for Darvish’s 1268 1/3 innings in Japan between 2005 and 2011.

Darvish may be most remembered for his dismal World Series in which he lasted just 1 2/3 innings in Games 3 and 7, and allowed eight earned runs. As fresh as that is in people’s minds, it doesn’t detract from the overall body of Darvish’s work.

Maybe it costs him a few million dollars in free agency, but he will likely be the most expensive free agent pitcher this winter, at least right up there with Arrieta.