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Epstein wants to bring Arrieta and Davis back to Cubs

Jim Young / USA TODAY Sports

In perhaps the least surprising news following the Chicago Cubs' exit from the 2017 postseason, the team is looking to bring back its two most integral free agents.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told reporters the club wants to re-sign starter Jake Arrieta and closer Wade Davis during the offseason.

Epstein, however, is aware that desire doesn't ensure a successful retention, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

"We'd love to have Wade Davis back. Same with Jake," he said. "Wanting doesn't mean having."

Davis labored through the playoffs, posting a 4.26 ERA across five appearances. This came after he recorded 32 saves in his first season with the Cubs and a 2.30 ERA. He's still considered one of the league's premier late-inning arms.

Arrieta fully came into his own when he was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles in 2013. While 2017 was his weakest year in Chicago, it was mostly due to a bumpy first half.

After the beginning of July, Arrieta went 7-4 with a 2.26 ERA over 14 starts, and severely limited the damage in two postseason starts. Despite issuing 10 walks in 10 2/3 innings, he allowed only a single earned run in the playoffs.

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