Jan. 15--Jake Arrieta relishes the notoriety associated with being the 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner.
"It's very special," Arrieta said Thursday at Jahn Elementary School, where he and some Cubs teammates helped paint the walls of a gymnasium and provided students with a snack pack. "Like when (Justin) Verlander won the MVP award (in 2011). I'd ask for a signed ball, and he signs it 'MVP.' Those things you can do now."
The next important signature Arrieta places will be on his next contract, which may have some ramifications regarding his long-term future with the Cubs. Arrieta, 29, could receive a raise of as much as more than $7 million after his 22 victories and 1.77 ERA led the Cubs to the NL Championship Series.
As early as October, President Theo Epstein said he would like to explore a long-term deal with Arrieta, who can become a free agent after 2017. Arrieta is glad he is under Cubs control for the next two seasons but is aware the value for marquee free-agent starters swelled this winter with signings of Zack Greinke (six years, $206.5 million) and left-hander David Price (seven years, $217 million).
"You know what type of money is out there, what the market is," said Arrieta, who made $3.63 million last season. "I'm going to be a Cub for the next two seasons, which I'm very excited about. And if it goes longer than that, it will be nice, too."
For now, Arrieta anticipates a contract being signed before arbitration hearings Feb. 1-21. Teams and players will file contract numbers Friday at noon if they haven't reached agreements.
"I would think the information is out with some of the comparables, and it's around where it should be," Arrieta said on the eve of the annual Cubs Convention. "With that in mind, both sides are pretty smart. They have done this a time or two. It will get worked out."
Arrieta's contract is expected to exceed the $10.1125 million contract Price received from the Rays in 2013 as a second-year arbitration eligible player coming off a Cy Young-winning season.
"Obviously, things are going to work out," Arrieta said. "That never has been a concern of mine. I just want the ball in my hand and toe the slab, and the financial things will work themselves out."
After throwing a career-high 248 2/3 innings in the regular season and playoffs, Arrieta resumed throwing this month and is eager for the Cubs to be even better with the help of free agent additions Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist.
"It's hard to look at those three guys and feel like we're not the (NL) favorite," Arrieta said. "On paper is one thing. You have to go out there and perform and show you're the team to beat, but right now it looks like we are."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
