Report: Arrieta's deal with Phillies contains opt-out in 2019
Jake Arrieta can walk way from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier than expected if he chooses to do so.
According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, Arrieta can opt out of his reported three-year, $75-million contract with the Phillies after the 2019 season. However, Heyman reports that the team can void the opt-out in exchange for a two-year extension that would take the deal through 2022 and pay Arrieta between $125 and $135 million.
Related - Report: Phillies agree to 3-year, $75M deal with Arrieta
If triggered, the two-year extension would reportedly pay Arrieta a base salary of $20 million in both 2021 and '22. That figure could then rise to $25 million based on his games started in the 2018 and '19 seasons, or even $30 million depending on how he fares in Cy Young voting over those years.
Basing the extension salaries on games started might end up being a good move for Arrieta, who's been a workhorse over the last several seasons. Although his 2017 campaign wasn't up to his usual standards, the 32-year-old did reach the 30-start mark for the third consecutive year. He led all pitchers with 33 starts during his Cy Young-winning season in 2015.
Arrieta will earn $30 million this season, $25 million in 2019, and $20 million in 2020, according to Heyman.
The completion of his deal with the Phillies is pending a physical.