The Cubs and Cardinals are interested in Jake Arrieta - A Hunt and Peck

Could the Cardinals whisk away the former Cub?

By lil_scooter93 Jan 3, 2018, 1:00pm EST

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MLB: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals appear to be the hot team this year, and by that I mean, the team everyone likes to connect free agents to. The Cardinals appeared to be looking to make a big move and have boasted about having the payroll flexibility to do just that. It could very well be true the Cardinals are serious suitors for all the players linked to them. Or it could be that teams and agents have taken note of the Cardinals willingness to deal. Either way, the Birdos are linked to another free agent: Jake Arrieta.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score:

Looking ahead, the Cubs have a renewed interest in bringing back Arrieta, sources said. Arrieta, who turns 32 in March, had a 3.53 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 30 starts in 2017. The two clubs showing the most interest in Arrieta are the Cubs and Cardinals, according to one industry source.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs would be willing to offer Arrieta as much as $110 million for four years. To beat that would almost certainly be an overpay. The other notable free agent pitching options, Yu Darvish and Lance Lynn, might be a more efficient use of resources.

Levine: Cubs Still Have Key Additions To Make For 2018 Season | CBS Chicago

MLB hot stove: Cold-hearted economics freeze out elite free agents | USA Today