With roughly three works to go until the official start of the 2018 MLB season, Jake Arrieta has yet to sign with a team. The San Diego Padres are reportedly among the teams that are willing to change that, but at what price?
According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Padres have interest in Arrieta but would likely be looking to sign the right-hander at a discount. After they made a somewhat surprising decision to sign Eric Hosmer to an eight-year, $144 million deal, it would stand to reason that the Padres are done spending big money. But, as Heyman notes, they are monitoring the Arrieta situation in case a bargain opportunity presents itself.
Padres sources suggest they are checking in with a number of star free agents remaining periodically in case there’s a deal that makes sense but ultimately expect to go with the young pitchers they currently have in camp.
It isn’t known what the Padres may have suggested for Arrieta, if anything, but it’s possible they could be looking for a bargain; that can’t be a surprise at this juncture since several teams are surely wondering whether a great player could be had for something well beneath what he originally sought.
Heyman’s sources have said Arrieta is still in no rush to sign a contract and is willing to wait things out. Eventually, you would have to think the appeal of signing a former Cy Young winner will be enough to entice a team — possibly a contender like this one.
If Arrieta’s asking price were to drop, there would be far more competition to sign him.
