*Photo from CBS Philadelphia*
A big part of the Chicago Cubs 2016 championship is back in a Cubs uniform. The Cubs have signed RHP Jake Arrieta to a one year, $4 million contract, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. There is an additional $1 million in bonuses available for Arrieta as well. There is also a mutual option for the 2022 season, which is worth $10 million and contains a $2 million buyout. The Cubs have confirmed the deal.
Arrieta had some struggles in the Philadelphia Phillies rotation in 2020, pitching to a 4-4 record with a 5.08 ERA, striking out 32 hitters in 44 1/3 innings pitched across 9 starts in 2020 for Arrieta. In Arrieta's 11 major league seasons, he has a 110-79 record with a 3.76 ERA, throwing 1,513 2/3 innings in 261 appearances, with 255 of them being starts.
Cubs manager David Ross said of Arrieta returning to Chicago that "I think Jake feels like he's got something to prove. I think he's really comfortable here in this Cubs uniform and has got a long-standing history. I've watched him perform at his best and I know him. He's trying to get back to that version, or as close as he can to that in his work."
Arrieta will be filling out the starting rotation in Chicago, which has seen Jose Quintana, Jon Lester, and Tyler Chatwood leave in free agency, and saw Yu Darvish being traded to the Cubs. In their place comes Arrieta, Zach Davies, Alec Mills, Trevor Williams, and Adbert Alzolay alongside Kyle Hendricks.
Ross said of Arrieta's playoff history that "He's got the awards. He's got the ring. I mean, what I saw him do in that Wild Card Game in Pittsburgh is as dominant of a performance in as much pressure as I think I've ever seen anybody under. So, this guy's been battle-tested. He's got the mentality. He's got the poise."
Arrieta is the latest addition by the Cubs, as he joins Davies, Williams, Jake Marisnick, and Joc Pederson as notable additions this winter.
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