10 MLB moves that need to happen before the offseason ends

2. Cubs keep Arrieta

Sometimes, the devil you do know is better than the devil you don’t know. That’s exactly the position the Cubs find themselves in when it comes to filling out their starting rotation this winter. With Tyler Chatwood signed to a very fair three-year deal, there is only one more spot for Theo Epstein to fill in his rotation. The early focus was on Yu Darvish, but a deal could not be made before the New Year despite an aggressive push.

If the Cubs made Darvish their best offer and he still turned it down, that should shift the team’s focus to other options. Alex Cobb also reportedly turned down a three-year offer in the neighborhood of $42 million. The potential terms of the offer to Darvish were never revealed.

All of this could be forcing the Cubs back to Jake Arrieta, their Cy Young and postseason hero. All three pitchers the Cubs are still considering carry risk, but they are most familiar with Arrieta. His ability to take the ball in high-pressure situations and deliver is matched by few in Major League Baseball, and unlike Darvish and Cobb, he has never had a serious elbow injury.

Without a dominant bullpen, the Cubs still have to hold on to fairly traditional roles with their starting pitchers. With the free-agent market completely frozen, Arrieta won’t find anyone willing to go to a sixth year, and probably not even five unless he is willing to take a cut on the annual salary. If a four-year deal between $100-110 million is what it takes to sign the 2015 Cy Young, Theo Epstein may be able to stomach it and keep his ace.