Report: Cubs still interested in Arrieta |
Jake Arrieta is one of the most prized free agents in the 2017 class and fans are wondering which major league baseball team he will eventually sign with after all the negotiations this offseason.
It appears that the Cubs are still interested in Arrieta returning to the North Side, but there is still a sticking point in the number of contract years that the Cubs are willing to pay for and what Jake Arrieta's agent Scott Boras wants. "The Chicago Cubs met at the GM meetings on Jake Arrieta, and while they are interested, there’s still said to be a gap on the years – he wants long (six or seven years), they want shorter — and the sides aren’t believed to have spoken since the meetings," MLB insider Jon Heyman reported in his latest article. "While Arrieta hasn’t been seen as likely to return to the Cubs, considering the obvious needs of the team, it can’t be ruled out." Arrieta rejected the Cubs $17.4 million qualifying offer a few weeks ago. In 2017, Arrieta had a 14-10 record with 3.53 ERA, 163 strikeouts, and 1.22 WHIP. The Cubs also have reported interest in starting pitchers Alex Cobb, Yu Darvish, and Lance Lynn. One general manager told Heyman that Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta's total contracts will be a "toss-up." Heyman heard the following as the Cubs were talking with a free-agent pitcher at the Winter Meeting. "Time to overspend on a pitcher," a Cubs official said. It appears that the Cubs will probably sign one or possibly two free agent starting pitchers this offseason.
