Jake Arrieta’s agent, Scott Boras, says he will discuss an extension with the Cubs next month when the two sides exchange arbitration figures, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers tweets. There have been rumblings of extension talk for over a year between Arrieta and the Cubs, but the two sides haven’t reached a deal, and reportedly hadn’t come close to one as of last April.
After his brilliant Cy Young season in 2015, the 30-year-old Arrieta was modestly — but only modestly — disappointing in 2016, posting a 3.10 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 over 197 1/3 innings. He’s had three straight strong seasons in Chicago, though, and still appears likely to cash in if he waits until he’s eligible for free agency at the end of next season. He’s currently set to make a projected $16.8MM next season through the arbitration process.
There’s ample precedent for extensions for star pitchers with five-plus years of service time — Boras negotiated a $175MM deal for Stephen Strasburg last May, and he would probably aim in that direction for Arrieta, who has had more recent success than Strasburg but is also two years older than Strasburg was at the time of his deal. Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels and Homer Bailey have also signed nine-figure deals with five-plus years of service time.
Anything over 4 years & $95M is a mistake by Jed & Theo. Anything over 5 years with Duffy, Cobb, etc FA next year & I’m buying a Sox hat. Please Jesus let Jake test market
Buying a Sox hat? Really? Theo/Jed deserve the benefit of the doubt. I’m not saying they need to sign him, but stop with the knee jerk reactions. #WeWon
They just won the world series and you’re ready to jump ship over just the possibility of a perceived bad signing? I think they’ve earned a bit of good will at this point.
5/125. He won 2 road World Series games. Best in MLB batting average against. Worth every penny
Whatever Leo wants….Leo Getz
Nice one lol
Leo go buy your Sox hat. Who cares
A Boras client too. Your looking at 30-35 mil per on this Cubbies.
They are also on the hook for Lester and the way Heyward plays; In not so sure he will opt out as well !!!
Its not 30-35 million for Arrieta. If that is his ask then the Cubs will just let him walk.
Boras won on his hedge with Strasburg, will he do it again?
Homer Bailey lol one of these names is not like the others.
That contract really did throw a wrench into the market. No wonder Samardzija thought he could get 100+mil.
He came pretty close, but he had to journey to a few places to get there.
Sometimes a bird in the hand…, but Shark was not on board with the rebuilding plan.
It was fun watching him get shellacked in the NLDS.
I like Jake, but if he can’t come to an agreement, maybe the Tigers would take him..
How about Jake and A ball prospect for Verlander (will pick up his option in order for him to waive his no trade clause) and cash to even out the salaries for 2017 and Upton (Kate, not Justin).
When Kate comes to town, I will be a grandma by 2018.
#MLBRPG
“When Kate comes to town, I will be a grandma by 2018.”
Mom? Is that you?
No way tigers do that. They’re looking to get younger and more cost controlled. Arrieta has 1 year left. Tigs can always eat money and get a way better return. They did the same thing for fielder.
So if it’s me, I think the Cubs should give Arrietta the exact same contract as Jon Lester plus around 2 million per year. Just cut up his arbitration year and replace the whole thing. I think Lester got 6/150 or so, I think Arrietta is about 6/162 or so. If the Cubs think he’ll hold up for that time. That feels right to me.
But Boras is his agent, that won’t happen. He will get as close to Kershaw money as he can get.
So the only purpose NOT to wait until he’s actually a free agent from the Cubs stand point is to get a discount. If he expects to get 200 million, the Cubs will tell him to pound sand.
No way!
He hit 262 this year? Damn!
I will guess 7 years for 210 – 245 with opt out’s.
No thanks
What’s going to happen if Bryce get’s his 400 million? What’s the value of Bryant and Rizzo? 400 million each ….. 500 million? God forbid Schwarber and Hendrix continue their spiral upwards.
Rizzo and Bryant won’t need to worry about free agency for a good min. They wont go anywhere. Bryant is a lifer for the cubs
He wouldn’t get that even as a free agent with multiple teams bidding for him.
Love Arrieta but let him walk.
It is going to be a short conversation. Jake is going to FA and will go to the highest bidder. I don’t envision that being the Cubs.
Give him a Cespedes contract – 3yrs $75MM with opt out after 1st year. If he pitches like 2015 he opts out – if he pitches like 2016 maybe he stays maybe he goes but if he continues to regress cubs are only screwed for 2 extra years
I think it’ll be more about years than money, which has me worried because I don’t think the Cubs will go to 7.
This is why we didn’t try to sign chapman. It’s gonna cost us ridiculous amounts of money but we need Jake. Some age and command issues but nevertheless his stuff is among the filthiest in the show.
I’d wait on it. Yu Darvish is a FA next year and Johnny Cueto will likely opt out of his deal if he has another good season. All are about the same. Which do you think will be the better of the 3 over the next 5-7 years? Who’s the cheapest? Does money even truly matter with the Cubs. They have money coming out of their ears now after the WS win. I’d give him 5 years and $100M…… that’s it. But I’d also prefer this to be done mid-season. See what he can do. For the last 4 months of the season he had a 4.05 ERA after a red hot April and May. Which Arrieta are we potentially getting?
Or you can get the one in the World Series? He was by far the Cub’s best starter.
5/100 would be insulting to Arrieta. Get real
just let him walk.
I agree but signing a free agent pitcher has never been a sure thing. You and I both know the Cubs only get players with a specific make up and locker room fit. That makes it even harder to sign the right guy.
We will most likely have to overpay for Jake but to what extent will determine if the Cubs come to an agreement or not. I know Scott boras is his agent.
I still see them reaching out in the trade market, candelario and zagunis are superflous and a decent start to a deal for an arm. maybe those 2 for Eduardo rodriguez to fill each other’s needs.
Arrieta is not giving any sort of hometown discount and his cost is going to really sting big
I’d be very surprised if he accepted less than $28 million per year given the cost of starting pitching
If that is the case, there is no reason for the Cubs to sign him now. If he’s only going to accept market rate, the Cubs can just wait until he gets closer to the date. Loyalty goes both ways.
I just worry about him as his stuff starts to decline. He’s always been a stuff-first, control second type of guy. I wouldn’t give him more than 5 years. I’d really only be comfortable for 4 though
It sucks that we will only get a 3rd round pick for letting him walk now.
I say ride him hard all year then ket him go. Maybe the Cards will give him $250m
he’s already said that he expects #1 type money and Boras will shop him until he gets it. Best bet is to try to move him around the trade deadline & pick up some prospects (or maybe a long term CF option) in return.
And, sorry…NO ONE is a “lifer” for any team anymore. The business of the game prevents it, but not as much as Boras does & KB being a Boras client locks that in.
He can’t be a lifer because he’s allready been with another team.
i was referring to this post abt KB being a lifer.
Wrek305
December 8, 2016
Rizzo and Bryant won’t need to worry about free agency for a good min. They wont go anywhere. Bryant is a lifer for the cubs
Bryant is also a Boras client as well
Do you people honestly believe Arietta it’s worth 28 million a year, good luck I don’t think he’ll get that. Butwho knows it’s a crazy world out there,
Good idea, especially if the Cubs choose not to pursue a controllable starting pitcher this offseason.