The Chicago Cubs and NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta remain millions apart in negotiations as the two sides prepare for the next phase in arbitration.
Arrieta filed at $13 million prior to Friday's deadline to exchange figures, while the Cubs countered at $7.5 million, representing the largest gap between a player and team this winter.
The Cubs could still reach a long-term agreement with Arrieta prior to the date of their scheduled hearing, which will happen sometime next month. Some teams employ a file-and-trial policy, meaning once the player and club exchange salaries, the two sides have essentially agreed to argue their cases in arbitration. The Cubs are not believed to be among those teams.
Arrieta, 29, earned $3.63 million in 2015 and was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $10.4 million through arbitration this winter, his second year of eligibility.
The right-hander's award-winning season included one of the most dominant second halves in baseball history, after Arrieta posted a 12-1 record with a 0.75 ERA in 15 starts, which included a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 30.
Arrieta's impressive campaign helped him edge Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw for the first Cy Young of his career, while helping lead the Cubs to the NLCS.
