Jake Arrieta meets again with the Chicago Cubs where he helped end a 108-year drought at the World Cup.
Arrieta, who will turn 35 in March, agreed to a $ 6 million one-year contract, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the contract.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity as Arrieta has yet to pass a physical exam.
The former Cubs ace was at his peak in Chicago, where he spent parts of five seasons (2013-2017) before leaving as a free agent in 2018. He helped lead the Cubs to three consecutive postseasons and to a World Series title in 2016.
In 2015 he was arguably the best pitcher in baseball, culminating with the National League Cy Young Award. He led the majors with 22 wins and an ERA of 1.77. From 2015 to 2016 he threw two no-hitters and won 40 games.
After the 2017 season, Arrieta signed a three-year, $ 75 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after Chicago pursued and signed Yu Darvish.
However, his stay in Philadelphia did not reflect the success he had in Chicago. The right-hander walked 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA and saw his ERA rise with the Phillies each year.
The former ace will be a welcome addition to a rotation that saw Jon Lester (Washington Nationals), José Quintana (Los Angeles Angels) and Tyler Chatwood (Toronto Blue Jays) lose free hands.
The Cubs also traded Darvish for the San Diego Padres earlier this winter.
Contributor: Bob Nightengale
