Report: Phillies agree to 3-year, $75M deal with Arrieta
Jake Arrieta appears to have found himself a home in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $75-million contract with the free-agent right-hander and 2015 Cy Young Award winner, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Completion of the contract is pending a physical, reports Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
It was reported earlier Sunday that the Phillies were considered the favorite to land Arrieta, who turned 32 last week.
Adding Arrieta to serve as a veteran force atop their young rotation would conclude a stellar offseason for the Phillies, who are looking to begin rising back to contention following several seasons of rebuilding. Arrieta will be the fourth free agent signed by Philadelphia this winter.
Phillies' 2018 free-agent signings
| Player | Pos. | Age* | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Arrieta | SP | 32 | 3-year/$75M |
| Carlos Santana | 1B | 32 | 3-year/$60M |
| Tommy Hunter | RP | 31 | 2-year/$18M |
| Pat Neshek | RP | 37 | 2-year/$16.25M |
Before adding Arrieta to that list, Philadelphia had been poised to enter the 2018 season sporting a minuscule payroll of $63,708,333, according to Cot's Contracts. The team is still going to be in a very enviable payroll position during next winter's mega-class of free agents; currently, Philadelphia only has $42.4 million in salary commitments (not counting Arrieta) for 2019.
After helping the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years during the 2016 season, Arrieta struggled a bit more in 2017. Over 30 starts for the NL Central champions, he posted a 3.53 ERA - his highest mark since joining the Cubs in 2013 - along with a 1.22 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Arrieta became a star in Chicago after the Cubs acquired him in 2013, following three mediocre seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. During his four-plus seasons on the North Side he posted a 2.73 ERA with 793 strikeouts, tossed a pair of no-hitters, and led the Cubs to three playoff berths, including the aforementioned title in '16.
Over his eight-year career with the Cubs and Orioles, Arrieta owns an 88-56 record, 3.57 ERA (114 ERA+), and 1,070 strikeouts in 1,161 innings pitched.
The Washington Nationals were also reportedly engaged with Arrieta recently.