
Chicago Cubs re-sign Jake Arrieta for four years, $85 million
This is where the real world throws everything off. Well, maybe.
I can’t imagine a world where Jake Arrieta only gets $85 million this offseason. And he definitely won’t get a combination of four years with an AAV this low. That being said, with just one day left in the three-day simulation, the right-hander had yet to receive an offer.
Which is when the Cubs threw their hat in the ring with the four-year, $85 million deal. I waited. I waited some more. And yet, somehow, no one countered. That marked the lone offer Arrieta received. In case you’re wondering, here’s how the pitching market broke down:
Big money on the table for Yu
- Yu Darvish – Signs with the Seattle Mariners – Five years, $133 million; deal includes annual opt-outs, full no-trade protection
- Shohei Ohtani – Signs with the Seattle Mariners – Due largely in-part to the team’s history with Japanese greats including Kazuhiro Sasaki, Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Jojhima. Part of team’s pitch included efforts to bring Darvish aboard.
- Alex Cobb – Signs with the Philadelphia Phillies – Four years, $60 million
- C.C. Sabathia – Re-signs with the New York Yankees – One year, $8 million
- Jhoulys Chacin – Signs with the San Francisco Giants – Four years, $28 million
- Lance Lynn – Signs with the Miami Marlins – Three years, $33 million
Personally, I’ve always like Arrieta a lot. The Cubs had a bid in on Alex Cobb, but switched gears to ensure the return of Wade Davis. In the fifth spot in the rotation, we turned to Mike Montgomery, who will get a shot at the rotation heading into 2018.