CHICAGO -- During a Cubs Caravan stop at Jahn Elementary School on Thursday, students were asked if they knew what the Cy Young Award was. One piped up, saying it was presented to the "best pitcher on the planet Earth." Most Cubs fans would agree that was Jake Arrieta in 2015.
The National League Cy Young Award winner, who led the Major Leagues with 22 wins and compiled a stellar 1.77 ERA, is now waiting to see how his success will affect his paycheck. Arrieta was one of seven Cubs who were arbitration-eligible, six of whom agreed to one-year deals on Friday, although the front office has talked about possibly signing the right-hander to a long-term deal. He will be a free agent after the 2017 season.
"I don't think either side wants it to be drawn out," Arrieta said Thursday about negotiations. "Just get it done, and let's not even have to talk about it any more."
Arrieta has not talked to Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein about a new deal. He's leaving that to his agent, Scott Boras.
"[Epstein] hasn't called me," Arrieta said. "I don't think [a long-term deal] is out of the question. I don't know if it's in the question, either."
Arrieta, who made $3.63 million last season, could get a bump to more than $10 million this year.
"Obviously, things are going to work out," he said. "That's never been a concern of mine. I want the ball in my hand, I want to toe the slab and get after it. The financial things will work themselves out."
Arrieta, who turns 30 in March, has seen the long-term contracts other pitchers have received.
"I'm going to be a Cub for the next two seasons, which I'm very excited about," he said. "If it goes longer than that, that would be nice, too."