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Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s okay, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network, as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
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Jake Arrieta is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he would like to be paid that way. The Cubs don't necessarily disagree with that notion -- they're a big-budget team, and Arrieta is going to end up expensive in arbitration anyway, so why not extend him so they get more from him in the long run? The two sides were actually discussing a "mega extension," to use Jon Heyman's phrase, but things quickly came apart when it was clear the two sides were not going to agree on the length of the deal. Reportedly, Arrieta was looking for a seven-year deal, which, depending on when the contract starts, would leave him at 36 or 37 years old by the end of it.
The Cubs have two years of Arrieta left, so while they would love to extend him, there is no real rush on their side to do so: he'll be 32 by the time they're forced to make a decision on him, and by that point maybe he'll be looking for more in the five-year range, anyway. That, or they would have developed or acquired enough starting to let Arrieta walk and cash the checks of someone else. Arrieta, similarly, doesn't need to agree with whatever the Cubs offer him. He's the reigning National League Cy Young winner, has a comparatively fresh arm for a 30-year-old, and is in a position to even increase his future value during his remaining time with the Cubs.
This isn't the end of extension talks between the two sides, either. It's possible they find a balance in guaranteed years, or increase the average annual value to get Arrieta to back down on length, or find a way to balance team and vesting options so that both sides end up happy. Scott Boras is Arrieta's agent, and both he and Cubs' President Theo Epstein are creative and at the top of their field, so don't be surprised if something comes together within the next year or so.
- Jeurys Familia put his glove in a microwave. Don't feel bad if you don't understand the why of things after watching the video.
- From Johnny Cueto's health to Corey Seager's first full season, these are the five most interesting players (and stories) of the NL West.
- The Orioles signed Pedro Alvarez to a one-year deal worth up to $7.25 million. While Alvarez should hit plenty of dingers at Camden Yards, this does mean Mark Trumbo is playing right field. So, Alvarez better hit plenty of dingers.
- Speaking of right field in Baltimore, our friends at Camden Chat are convinced the position is cursed.
- Eduardo Rodriguez is dealing with a sore knee, and it could keep him from starting the regular season with the Red Sox. If he's on the DL to begin the year, who should pitch in his place?
- Following the Erin Andrews' trial, Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch had several women journalists speak to him about the precautions they must take to ensure their safety when traveling.
- Salvador Perez seems like he's in need of saving behind the plate, but Russell Carleton isn't so sure.
- If Carter Capps' delivery is part of the reason for both his pitching and his elbow trouble, then sustainable success could be a problem.
- Jhonny Peralta will be out two-to-three months after sustaining a hand injury. The Cardinals' hopes for a healthier 2016 are not off to a great start.