Cardinals rumors: Could the Redbirds pry Arrieta away from Chicago?

St. Louis Cardinals rumors surface of their interest in Jake Arrieta. Could they pry them out of the claws of the Chicago Cubs?

St. Louis Cardinals rumors are heating up, with the Redbirds unlikely finished making moves this MLB hot stove “season.” In a surprising move, but a welcome one, the Cardinals were able to land All-Star Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins.

Next on their wish list is a closer, where Greg Holland‘s emerged as the clear front-runner. Also, with the departure of ace Lance Lynn, the Cardinals would do well by finding a suitable replacement for the steady hurler.

The man for the job could be former Cy Young Award-winning Jake Arrieta. A thorn in the side of the Redbirds over the past few years, snagging him away from their hated rivals would be the next step from dethroning them from their NL central perch.

Cardinals rumors have surfaced that it may come down to the Cardinals and Cubs for the honor of landing the ace pitcher. Now, this could turn the tide of power in the NL Central if the Cardinals land Arrieta, with the Cubs wanting no part of facing Arrieta several times per season.

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The proof is in the pudding, with the Cubs reportedly willing to offer Arrieta a lofty contract — four years and $110 million. The Cubbies are not messing around, and if these rumors are true, that kind of cash would be difficult to pass up.

Are the Cardinals willing to match or even exceed this offer, for Arrieta? It’s hard to say, but it would be worth every single penny if they pull the trigger — with a huge disclaimer attached.

Arrieta is coming off a 14-win season, but he’s nowhere matched the success of his 2015 Cy Young campaign — 22-6 win/loss record. 1.77 ERA/0.99 WHIP. 236/41 strikeout to walk ratio.

Now, numbers such as those are hard to top, but Arrieta seems to be leveling out around 15-16 wins per season, with an ERA around 3.30 or so. If he returns closer to his 2015 self, then the Cardinals needed to make this move yesterday. But, if he’s more of the latter, he just isn’t worth that sort of money, even if landing him could be the piece they need in replacing Lynn.

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With Cardinals rumors surfacing of pursuing Jake Arrieta, great care they must take while proceeding any further. It’s a move which could put them over the top, but, if Arrieta continues to digress, it’s a contract which will cripple the Redbirds for the next four seasons.