In a perfect world Jake Arrieta would still be in the starting rotation for the Chicago Cubs, but the fact is the world isn't perfect. He and the Cubs had different views on what he was worth and Arrieta decided to bet on himself, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Arrieta is back at Wrigley Field for the first time since signing a three-year, $75 million contract with Philadelphia and there aren't any hard feelings. As a matter of fact, Arrieta had a heartfelt message for Cubs fans, as he spoke to the media prior to Tuesday night's game.
I've said it more than once and I'll say it again, there hasn't been a more dominant run by a Cubs starting pitcher in my lifetime than what Jake Arrieta accomplished in his 4.5 seasons on the North Side.
Of course we remember the good times like his incredible 2015 run, the no-hitters and the 2016 World Series, but remember Arrieta arrived in Chicago in 2013, when the Cubs were still in the middle of their rebuild.
Arrieta brought up the first few seasons and the support fans always gave him and the team, while also saying how much his experience with the Cubs meant a great deal for his son as well.
It'll be interesting if Arrieta ever expresses the slightest bit of regret for not re-signing with the Cubs. The front office tried to sign him to an extension since 2015, and reportedly offered him a six-year, $120 million deal this past offseason. So far Arrieta has backed up his talk, recording a 2.66 ERA through 11 starts this season. While the Cubs are near the top of MLB in run scoring, the Phillies rank near the bottom and frustration finally got the best of Arrieta on Sunday, when he called out teammates and his manager after getting swept in San Francisco. Oh Jake, you were so much happier in Chicago.
