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Chicago Cubs make big moves in FanSided Faux Winter Offseason

By Jake Misener

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs acknowledges the crowd after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs acknowledges the crowd after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs
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) /

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.