Chicago Cubs face plenty of competition for Jake Arrieta

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 13: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates in the clubhouse with teammates after defeating the Washington Nationals 9-8 in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Every offseason, starting pitching seems to take center stage. With Jake Arrieta hitting the open market, this winter seems to be no exception as the list of suitors, including the Chicago Cubs, continues to grow.

With this weak free agent class of starting pitchers, Jake Arrieta is one of the best available. Along with the likes of Yu Darvish, the former Chicago Cubs right-hander is looking for a $150 million- plus payday.

Arrieta had a pretty good 2017 for the Cubs – it was obviously nothing compared to the Arrieta of 2015, when he put together one of the best second halves in baseball history. According to Baseball Reference, he was a 1.9 WAR player this year.

In 30 starts, the former Cy Young Award winner had a 3.53 ERA, a 4.16 FIP and 1.218 WHIP. That’s not going to blow you out of the water, but it’s an all-around solid year. It looks even better when you break the season up and see the upward trend he finished the season on.

Consistency key for Arrieta

Entering into his age-32 season, there are some questions about what his value truly is. Can a team count on Arrieta when he approaches 40? There’s no question that he keeps himself in great shape, but Father Time is undefeated. Also keep in mind his intense workload the past three seasons.

Like many other 2017 Cubs, the first half of the year was a lot tougher than post All-Star break. His ERA first half was 4.35 – hardly ace-like. But, in the second half, he dropped it down to an outstanding 2.28.

Getting back to the free agency aspect of it though, which teams will be willing to bring Arrieta in? There are the staples everyone has heard of, but I think that there are teams flying under the radar that could make a play for the right-hander.

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 12: Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning on July 12, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Players on the Chicago Cubs are wearing the number 14 to honor Ernie Banks. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers

Arrieta is a beast in Dodger Stadium – it’s also where he threw one of his two no-hitters. The Dodgers had some luck in the pitching department last season. Sure, guys like Alex Wood and Rich Hill had great seasons, but do you bet your 2018 season on their continued success? That doesn’t sound like the safest investment.

Everyone knows the Dodgers aren’t afraid to spend a little cheddar given they have the largest payroll in baseball. What’s another $150 million down the drain?

The Brewers

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I bet you thought they would be an under-the-radar team. Well, you’re wrong! Just kidding, nobody knows anything until the player signs on the dotted line.

Anyway, the Brewers were looking like they were ahead of schedule 2017. And with their core group only getting better, they look like they’re poised to make a big jump this season.

They’ve certainly seen a lot of Arrieta and that’s a factor that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Also, keep in mind that the Brewers were reportedly going after Quintana last year, so you know pitching is at their forefront.

The Giants

The Giants were putrid in 2017. They went 64-98 and finished last in the National League West. That means they finished below the Padres – which is tough to do.

In their defense, it was an odd year. And now that we’re headed to an even year, they’re looking to make a World Series run. Besides Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner, their team is a collective ‘meh.’

I like Johnny Cueto, who opted to stay with them this offseason, but they could definitely use a guy like Arrieta in their rotation. If they do sign the right-hander, they’re my World Series favorites for 2018. Just kidding, but don’t put it past them.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 30: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubsis greeted by agent Scott Boras after pitching a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Cubs won 2-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

The Tigers

That’s right – the Detroit Tigers. I’m aware that they’re rebuilding, but do you remember who they signed already this offseason? Chris Bosio.

Arrieta was transformed under Bosio and it seemed from the outside the two had a good relationship. The Tigers have a good amount of money in their piggy banks too. Is it likely? No, but that’s why they’re underdogs.

The Orioles

Besides being a great story, this signing could also make a lot of sense. The Orioles consistently have awful, disgusting, horrid pitching.

They could be a team willing to lay it all out on the line and overpay a guy like Arrieta to say to their fans that they realize they have a problem. I know that the two sides didn’t leave on the best terms, but I think $200 million will make it better.

The Cardinals

Don’t count out those pesky Redbirds. They could look for a guy they can slide behind Carlos Martinez and you know the Cardinals and their fans would like to steal him from the Cubs.

They’re also a team that isn’t afraid to break open the checkbook and being that Arrieta is a Scott Boras client, that helps.

Next: Plate discipline, approach the next step for Cubs' Baez

The Cubs

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The only problem is I doubt this will ever happen. It seems like him leaving was a foregone conclusion at the beginning of the year. My advice: don’t hold your breath on this Cubs fans.

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