UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that the Cubs and Arrieta have agreed to a one-year, $10.7 million contract for the 2016 season.
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According to the latest rumors and reports, the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta have their arbitration hearing scheduled for Feb. 9. However, it's still possible the two sides resolve their differences before that date. Could a contract extension be in the works?
Arrieta, who is in his second year of arbitration eligibility, filed for a $13 million salary for the 2016 season and the Cubs countered with $7.5 million. The $5.5 million gap is the largest of any arbitration case this offseason, and while that number might suggest relations are strained, that's not the case at all.
"We've had a lot of conversations with their side and we'll continue to have those conversations," general manager Jed Hoyer told Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. "We'll keep the particulars confidential."
Rumors from earlier in the offseason suggested the Cubs and Arrieta were hoping to work towards a long-term deal. Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras, said the two sides would be talking about the possibility as the offseason unfolded, but not much has been reported or speculated since then. Still, Boras' apparent open-mindedness on the subject provided some hope since he doesn't usually negotiate contract extensions for his players before they're eligible for free agency.
However, it makes sense because Arrieta is going to be 30 years old before the 2016 season starts and he only has two productive MLB seasons under his belt. That aspect is probably making the negotiating a bit tough, as is his 2015 Cy Young campaign. The right-hander went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 236 strikeouts in 33 starts (229 innings), registering career-highs in just about every major category.
MLBTradeRumors.com projects Arrieta to earn $10.4 million in arbitration for 2016, which is an enormous hike up from his $3.63 million salary from 2015. But is a long-term extension feasible at this point?
"The sides can settle on a one-year or long-term deal, though a hearing would only decide on a salary for 2016," Rogers adds. "Many times a deadline pushes the sides to a settlement. It's not likely that Arrieta will sign a long-term deal right now, but there has been no indication of acrimony between the Cubs and Arrieta. He's simply a high-profile player due a big raise within a complex system."
It's unclear what a possible extension would look like. Arrieta, despite just winning the NL Cy Young, has a lot more to prove in terms of durability and consistency. The Cubs would surely love to keep him in Chicago for as long as possible, but the price must be right.
And with Boras negotiating on behalf of Arrieta, it won't be an easy task for the Cubs.
