With each passing start, Jake Arrieta's long-term future with the Chicago Cubs becomes increasingly precarious.
After making his first appearance on the mound since the All-Star break, Arrieta said he doesn't want the next few months to represent the end of his tenure in Chicago, but if it comes to that, he wants to win another title.
"If I have to leave, I don't want to leave without another ring," he admitted after Saturday's convincing 10-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles, according to Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
"I would love to stay. That would be cool. But if it doesn’t work out, that’s the nature of professional sports."
Arrieta, a Scott Boras client, is in the final year of his contract that will pay him $15.6 million this year. After helping the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908, it was reported in the offseason that both sides had yet to engage in extension talks.
With the club reportedly showing interest in Oakland Athletics starter Sonny Gray on top of its recent acquisition of Jose Quintana - a starter with several years left of team control - there are indicators that the front office could be willing to let Arrieta walk when the time comes.
Since winning a Cy Young award in 2015, Arrieta's performance has fluctuated significantly. He finished 2016 with a 3.10 ERA (3.52 FIP) but entered Saturday with a 4.35 ERA and a 4.17 FIP - the highest marks since his days with the Orioles.
