Yes, even after a record-setting 2015, two no-hitters and a World Series title, Jake Arrieta is most likely pitching in his final season with the Chicago Cubs if he's still looking for a $200 million contract. According to Jon Heyman, that's exactly what the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner wants when he hits free agency following the 2017 season.
It shouldn't come as a big surprise, seeing as Arrieta still pitched great in 2016, despite looking bad at times and struggling with his command throughout the season. The truth of the matter is, Arrieta has been phenomenal since the Cubs traded for him in 2013. In four seasons with Chicago, Arrieta has a 54-21 record, 2.52 ERA and 0.985 WHIP. Amazing numbers.
So yes, Arrieta has every right to go out there after this season and demand as much money as he wants because as bad as the pitching market will be, he'll probably get a huge deal from someone. I just don't think it will be from the Cubs.
On Friday, Heyman reported that Arrieta is looking for a big deal, a Max Scherzer type deal. No way the Cubs do that for Arrieta, who will be 32-years-old when the 2018 season begins.
Via Jon Heyman:
The Cubs and Jake Arrieta’s agent Scott Boras spoke within the past few weeks, and there was said to be “no traction.” The expectation is that Arrieta will be a free agent at year’s end. Cubs people love Arrieta, and helped turn him into a big star. However, the belief is that they wouldn’t go more than four years, if that. Arrieta is looking for a mega deal along the lines of the Max Scherzer contract with the NatsThe "no traction" in contract talks between the Cubs and Arrieta has been a common theme. During spring training in 2016, both sides reportedly engaged in extension conversations, but those didn't lead to anything either.
Arrieta wanted a seven-year deal last season and obviously the Cubs wanted nothing to do with that. As a reminder, the Washington Nationals gave Scherzer a seven-year deal worth $210 million. In 2016, the Cubs and Arrieta were discussing a deal worth about $130 million. Via Bruce Levine:
Another source told me that the discussions go back to this fall and winter. One source said a six-year, $130-million contract was asked for a few months ago in negotiations. The source said there were many moving parts to the contract language that has yet to be agreed upon. (Bruce Levine)Again, no long-term deal was ever reached. The 2017 season is a big year for both the Cubs and Arrieta in regard to the future of the team's starting rotation. John Lackey will also be a free agent and nearing 40-years-old, could be retiring. Arrieta will be the top starting pitcher in free agency and even if the Cubs do want him back, which they do, he's going to be too pricey. The Cubs are in danger of losing 40 percent of their starting rotation after 2017, and as far as Arrieta goes, if he has another good year he's in for a mega contract.
I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see Arrieta signing a contract extension before hitting the free agent market. Once that happens, I don't see the Cubs investing so much money on a 32-year-old pitcher.
