Where will Arrieta land? Here are five contenders
The Chicago Cubs made a qualifying offer to starting pitcher Jake Arrieta on Monday, and the right-hander has 10 days to accept or decline the one-year, $17.4 million contract.
That sounds like a lot of money, but it would be stunning if Arrieta takes the offer when he could command up to $100 million (over four/five years) on the free-agent market.
Like every other major-league club, the Cubs used the qualifying offer as protection. They'd receive a draft pick back from the team that signs Arrieta.
Is there a chance Arrieta returns to the North Side in 2018 and beyond? The answer should be yes, considering the Cubs need starting pitching.
But given his age (Arrieta will be 32 in March), drop in production since winning the Cy Young in 2015 and growing health concerns, the Cubs are likely to look elsewhere this off-season.
Here are five potential landing spots for Arrieta:
Rangers
Texas decided not to make Andrew Cashner a qualify offer, so it now is looking to add up to three starters this winter.
The Rangers have the money to land Arrieta, and they are going to be motivated to improve after going 78-84 this season following two straight playoff appearances.
Dodgers
So close to winning the World Series for the first time since 1988 this season, Los Angeles could use an established arm like Arrieta to help get them over the hump.
The Dodgers traded for Yu Darvish to fill a need in this year's rotation, but he's likely to exit as a free agent. Arrieta would be an ideal replacement.
Cardinals
Remember when the Cubs swooped in and signed St. Louis free agents Jason Heyward and John Lackey after the 2015 season?
The Cards can turn the tables this winter and add Arrieta to their roster. St. Louis traded Mike Leake in August and is likely to lose Lance Lynn to free agency, so rotation help is obviously needed.
Angels
Over the last two seasons, Los Angeles starters Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs, JC Ramirez and Alex Meyer have all missed significant time with injuries.
The Angels still managed to make a wild-card run this season, but they need healthy, effective starting pitchers and they'd be able to meet Arrieta's asking price.
Brewers
Here is the darkhorse team for Arrieta.
Milwaukee was a huge surprise this season, and the Brewers have a talented group of young position players that should keep them contending in the NL Central.
The starting rotation needs a presence like Arrieta, especially with Jimmy Nelson's 2018 return uncertain following shoulder surgery.
Milwaukee needed starting help before this year's trade deadline but was unwilling to move young talent.
The Brewers had baseball's lowest payroll this season, just over $63 million. They need to spend to take the next step.