Jake Arrieta wants to stay with the Chicago Cubs long term, but he won't hesitate to follow the money.
Aside from being on a team with World Series aspirations, the right-hander, who is fresh off his second no-hitter, believes he's worth a contract in the six or seven-year range.
But if the Cubs don't think he's worth it, Arrieta isn't afraid to accept an offer from a team that does, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale.
“If we don’t work out a deal here, and I go to free agency, I will get six or seven years. No doubt about that," Arrieta said. "I’d like to stay in Chicago, but if they don’t want me, somebody will.’’
Both he and agent Scott Boras asked for a seven-year deal over the winter, but the Cubs were only willing to negotiate for three or four years.
Given the fact he's the runaway best pitcher in the majors right now, the price has gone up, and those talks will be amplified in the offseason. Arrieta, 30, compares himself to other 30-somethings who cash out in free agency.
| Pitcher | Age | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| David Price | 30 | 7-year/$217M |
| Zack Greinke | 32 | 6-year/$206.5M |
| Jeff Samardzija | 31 | 5-year/$90M |
| Ian Kennedy | 31 | 5-year/$70M |
The difference is Arrieta thinks he has a longer career span than them, and he refuses to miss an opportunity to benefit from his talents.
"Look at all of the pitchers getting six- and seven-year deals at 30, 31, and 32," Arrieta said. "You see what's going on and the money that's out there. You'd be a fool not to try to benefit from that, or at least try to get what you feel you're worth.
"You've got to strike when the iron is hot. And mine will be hot for a while."
