Arrieta open to signing extension with Cubs: 'This is a place I’ve admired for a long time'

Jake Arrieta has found success on Chicago's North Side that eluded him during four seasons in Baltimore. 

The right-hander has emerged as the ace of the Cubs' rotation since being acquired from the Orioles last July, and sounds like a man willing to settle in the Windy City. 

“You see a lot of different things across the league, and as players we can learn from those decisions,” Arrieta told the Chicago Sun-Times. “As far as the future goes, it’s going to come down to what direction the front office wants to go in.

“I feel like I’m a big part of that. This is a place I’ve admired for a long time. I would definitely be in a position to want to stay here, if ­possible.”

“I think I can put up these sort of numbers and have this kind of success on a yearly basis,” Arrieta said.

The 28-year-old has been a bargain this year - making $500,000 - but Arrieta should see a hefty raise as he becomes arbitration eligible after this season. 

Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras, said the team has yet to have any formal talks regarding an extension and Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein isn't in any rush to jump into contract discussions at this point. 

“It’s something we always talk about internally,” Epstein said. “I wouldn’t rule anything out. But I don’t see it as a pressing matter right now.”