Today, the Chicago Cubs OFFICIALLY signed free agent starter Jake Arrieta to a one-year, $6 million deal (with a mutual option for 2022, which probably means nothing).
In a corresponding move, Kyle Ryan has been placed on the COVID-19 Related Injured List, which I am right at this moment learning will also take guys off of the 40-man roster (like a 60-day IL stint). Jed Hoyer said Ryan would be delayed in Spring Training because of the COVID protocols, though it hasn’t been explicit whether it is a positive test or something else related to the virus or the protocols. In any case, he’ll be delayed, and he is now currently off the 40-man roster, which made a spot available for Arrieta.
Arrieta, who spent the last three mostly unsuccessful years with the Phillies, is back where he made the most hay, and I’m stoked. He isn’t going to be the guy he was at his peak, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a useful starting pitcher, a veteran leader, and a guy for fans to enjoy.
It's official: Jake is back. pic.twitter.com/KBdEyIa21U
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 17, 2021