Jake Arrieta has been expected to leave the Cubs since extension talks stalled last offseason. And while Arrieta is considered one of the top free agent pitchers on the market this year, the Cubs and the former Cy Young winner look to be parting ways officially.
Cubs skipper Joe Maddon was a guest on 670 the Score’s Spiegel and Parkins show and talked about the likelihood of Arrieta returning to the North Side.
#Cubs manager Joe Maddon to @Spiegel_Parkins on free-agent Jake Arrieta: 'Jake's probably gone' https://t.co/lnQJUZCKwn pic.twitter.com/A5Ukok7NQK
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 1, 2017
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported earlier this week that the Cubs and Arrieta were talking but unable to agree on a contract length. Arrieta is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of six to seven years, where as the Cubs would like to keep the deal under four years.
And while there is still some hope the Cubs can work out a deal with Arrieta, who Heyman reports would be open to signing with the Cubs – as long as they give him the deal he is looking for.
But with Joe Maddon speaking so candidly about the negotiations, both sides coming together and agreeing on terms looks like a lost cause. Jake Arrieta has likely placed his last game as a Chicago Cub.
