Free agent starter Jake Arrieta, Cubs to reunite for 2021 season

Jake Arrieta is reuniting with the Chicago Cubs where he helped end a 108-year World Series championship drought.

Arrieta, who turns 35 in March, agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.

The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because Arrieta still has to pass a physical.

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 which culminated with the National League Cy Young Award. He led the majors with 22 wins and posted a 1.77 ERA. 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. 

Jake Arrieta spent the last three seasons with the Phillies. (Photo: Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports)

However, his stint in Philadelphia didn't mirror the success he had in Chicago. The right-hander went 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA and saw his ERA rise each year with the Phillies. 

The former ace will be a welcome addition to a rotation that lost Jon Lester (Washington Nationals), José Quintana (Los Angeles Angels) and Tyler Chatwood (Toronto Blue Jays) to free agency. 

The Cubs also traded Darvish to the San Diego Padres earlier this winter.

Contributing: Bob Nightengale

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