Phillies Rumors: Baltimore connection could help land Jake Arrieta
By Tim Boyle
The latest Philadelphia Phillies rumors have linked them to free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta. Could the Phillies make a late offseason splash?
According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the latest Philadelphia Phillies rumors are of the franchise-changing variety. Free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta is officially on their radar. Unfortunately, the two sides may not see eye-to-eye.
Arrieta wants to get paid this winter, but the Phillies may not be prepared for the commitment. Per Heyman, years are the issue.
The Phillies’ willingness to pay Carlos Santana a boatload of money this offseason bodes well in their Arrieta pursuit. However, let’s take into account that they only gave him three years. Arrieta, a much more notable free agent, would probably want a lengthier contract. Sadly, the two sides may never come to terms because of this.
In defense of the Phillies, paying Arrieta for more than three or four years would surely backfire. Next month is his 32nd birthday. Last year, we already saw the decline begin.
The Baltimore Connection
In the same tweet from Jon Heyman, it’s the connection between Jake Arrieta and Phillies’ management that helps them most. Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentak know him from their time with the Baltimore Orioles. Though this was a different version of the All-Star pitcher, Arrieta always carried potential. Never getting to share it together, a reunion could take place.
Arrieta never figured things out during his Orioles tenure. In parts of the four seasons he spent with Baltimore, Arrieta went 20-25 with a horrifying 5.46 ERA. Almost immediately after joining the Chicago Cubs, things changed. In the 128 starts he made for the Cubs, Arrieta went 63-31. He posted an incredible 2.73 ERA, the highlight coming in 2015 when he posted a 1.77 ERA while winning 22 games.
Jake Arrieta’s Limited Options
The offseason has been relatively quiet for Jake Arrieta. Yu Darvish has taken his place with the Cubs, leaving him with far fewer options. Many of the big spenders already looked elsewhere for pitching help. At this moment, Arrieta may need to choose between the Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.
Many Phillies fans had hoped for something big like an Arrieta signing all winter. Until now, it was merely speculation. Following this latest Phillies rumors report, those hopeful wishes are closer to reality.
Next: Philly matters settled and unsettled until April
Perhaps the fairest way to make everyone happy is a contract with incentives. General managers are always getting creative in this regard. If Matt Klentak truly wants to stand out, he’ll find a way to add Arrieta without entirely giving into his demands.