Jake Arrieta, Phillies Reportedly Agree To Three-Year, $75M Deal;

Jake Arrieta and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract, per several reports.

Jake Arrieta deal with Phillies news

Arrieta, a former Chicago Cubs standout, is the second major free agent added by Philadelphia this offseason. The squad signed first baseman Carlos Santana to a three-year, $60 million deal in December.

The 32-year-old pitcher had a stellar second half of 2017 leading into free agency: he recorded a 2.28 post-All-Star break ERA. He won a Cy Young Award in 2015 after posting a 0.75 ERA and in 2016 helped lead the Cubs to a World Series victory. Arrieta also son the Silver Slugger Award in 2016.

Before being traded to the Cubs in 2013, Arrieta played for the Baltimore Orioles for three seasons.

Arrieta has also delivered two no-hitters and a career .222 batting average against him. He could now be a strong asset to Philadelphia, where he will join veteran relievers Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek.

Arrieta’s innings have dropped as he has battled injuries. However, the Phillies can still benefit from him. Before signing him, Philadelphia was on the hook for just $53 million in guaranteed salary in 2018: that figure drops to $42 million in 2019, $28 million in 2020 and $11 million in 2021. All of that is owed to center-fielder Odubel Herrera. Many pundits seem to believe Arrieta will likely need to start several games in order for him to turn the Phillies into real contenders.

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 26: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Two of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 26, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)