The Washington Nationals have been linked to Jake Arrieta at various points throughout the offseason. We take a look at what a potential deal might look like.
The Washington Nationals are built on strong pitching, which becomes obvious when taking a quick glance at their starting rotation. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg are perennial Cy Young candidates, while Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark are capable of making the All-Star team in any given year.
Unfortunately, with Joe Ross set to miss at least most of the season while he rehabs his elbow, the fifth spot in the Nats’ rotation is a bit of a question mark.
The Nats are holding a spring training competition to see who will fill out the rotation, with A.J. Cole and Tommy Milone appearing to be the frontrunners. While either of these pitchers could be fine fifth starters, they don’t exactly make opposing offenses quiver.
More from District on Deck
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
Considering that 2018 is possibly the biggest season in franchise history, many people have suggested the Nats should go all-in. If they were to throw all their chips into the pot, Cole and Milone would probably not be at the top of the list of preferred pitchers to fill out the rotation.
This is where Jake Arrieta comes in.
Despite being a solid starting pitcher, Arrieta remains unsigned three weeks before Opening Day. He is no longer what he was in 2015, when he produced a historic season, but he would still improve any team’s rotation.
If the Nats truly are all-in to win in 2018, Arrieta may not be a bad investment.
With this in mind, if the Nats sign Arrieta, it should not be on his terms. He is represented by uber-agent Scott Boras, who has a history of getting his clients their desired deal, regardless of how absurd it may be.
Arrieta supposedly began the offseason asking for a deal in the $200 million range. It quickly became obvious that this was ludicrous, but he is still seeking an enormous payday. Now, he is asking for a deal similar to Yu Darvish‘s six-year, $126 million contract.
Although it is possible, Arrieta is not likely to get what he wants. He recently turned 32, and teams have finally realized that signing older players to long-term contracts often does not work out.
If Arrieta is going to demand a contract similar to Darvish’s, the Nats should steer clear. However, he could be a fit on a short-term deal.
While Arrieta has declined, he is still a solid starting pitcher. He pitched through a few minor injuries last year, and still managed to post a 3.53 ERA and start 30 games.
Arrieta is a reliable starter in the regular season, but the Nats would likely be signing him for the postseason. He has established himself as an elite postseason pitcher, which was especially evident throughout the Cubs’ 2016 World Series run.
The former Cubs ace has pitched to a 3.08 ERA in nine career postseason appearances, including allowing just one earned run in two starts last October.
If Arrieta is willing to take a one- or two-year deal averaging about $20 million per season, the Nats could enter the sweepstakes. It may seem like a hefty price for a third starter, but he could help the Nats finally exorcise their postseason demons.
Perhaps Arrieta could sign a deal similar to the one Matt Wieters signed last offseason. He would have one season guaranteed, and could opt-out after a year if he wants to give free agency another shot. Otherwise, he could stay for a second year.
Every day, it becomes more and more likely that the Nats will bail out Boras once again.
Next: Comparing the Nats to the rest of the National League
Arrieta could be a great short-term investment, or he could be a long-term financial burden. Signing him is enticing, but the Nats must be proceed with caution.