Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta has finally revealed what happened when he and the team decided to part ways during the offseason.
In an interview with Chicago Sun-Times baseball reporter Gordon Wittenmyer, Arrieta revealed that the Cubs made him a final offer before they signed pitcher Yu Darvish, but that he didn’t feel that they were willing to negotiate the offer with him and that they had already decided to sign Darvish.
“He made an offer, but in my heart, I believe that he knew I would say no or that I would want to negotiate, which would make it easier for him to go sign Darvish,” he said. “He called literally the night before Darvish signed and said, ‘Here’s the offer, take it or leave it. If you don’t want it, we’re going to try to sign Darvish as soon as possible.’”
Arrieta says the Cubs offered him a six-year deal worth $120 million, but that he rejected it. Darvish would later sign a six-year deal with the Cubs that was worth $126 million.
Ultimately, Arrieta signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a three-year, $75 million deal. That deal could bump up to five years and $135 million if Arrieta hits certain parameters and escalators in the deal.
Arrieta went on to say there are no hard feelings after what happened, and that he understands that the Cubs made a business decision.
In five starts so far this season, Arrieta has a 3-1 record with a 3.49 ERA and has struck out 20 batters in 28.1 innings. Meanwhile, Darvish has an 0-2 record with a 5.26 ERA and has struck out 29 batters in five starts.
Chicago Baseball
Darvish will next take the mound on Wednesday afternoon when the Cubs take on the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field.
