According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs and RHP Jake Arrieta agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.63 million contract for the 2015 season.
Jake Arrieta is the fourth of seven arbitration eligible players on the Cubs roster to agree to terms on a contract for the 2015 season. The Cubs have signed LHP Felix Doubront ($1.925 million), OF Chris Coghlan ($2.505 million) and C Welington Castillo ($2.1 million) to one-year deals.
The Cubs have three arbitration eligible players still unsigned for next season … RHP Pedro Strop, INF Luis Valbuena and LHP Travis Wood.
Jake Arrieta made $544,500 and estimates for his first year of arbitration eligibility were around $3.9-4.2 million. Arrieta will be paid $3.63 million in 2015.
Jake Arrieta was 10-5 in 25 starts with a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 2.26 FIP. Arrieta struck out 167 batters with only 41 walks in 156 2/3 innings. Arrieta emerged as the No. 1 starter on the Cubs’ staff a year ago and if all goes as planned, Arrieta should slot in behind Jon Lester in Joe Maddon’s Opening Day rotation.
There were reports toward the end of the season Arrieta was interested in signing a long-term deal with the Cubs, and the front office could still explore an extension with Arrieta but that does not appear the case. Arrieta is likely to go year-to-year.
Since the trade with Baltimore that landed him and Pedro Strop with the Cubs for Scott Feldman, Steve Clevenger and International signing bonus pool money, Jake Arrieta is 14-7 in 34 starts with a 2.81 Era, 1.02 WHIP and 2.92 FIP. Arrieta has given up 148 hits with 65 walks and 204 strikeouts in 208 1/3 innings.
Jake Arrieta is under team control for two full seasons following the 2015 campaign, through the 2017 season.