Levine: Cubs Want Jake Arrieta To Be Innings-Eater In 2015

By Bruce Levine-

(CBS) The 2015 season may indeed determine whether Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta becomes a star or a passing meteor in the night. During a dominant finish to the 2014 campaign, Arrieta took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning three times.

The question of durability has been the major hurdle for the talented Arrieta. Last year's 156 2/3 innings were the most Arrieta has ever thrown in his five big league seasons. Posting a 10-5 record and a 2.53 ERA made him one of the top pitchers in the National League, and the challenge will be to repeat that over the long haul.

Even 2014 started bumpy for Arrieta, as he opened the season on the disabled list after having to rehab a sore shoulder. He missed the first five weeks of the year.

"I believe Jake is poised for his best years," Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio on "Inside the Clubhouse" recently. "We must get him to 200 innings, but we will take 185. We aren't necessarily focused on innings but rather a pitcher's health and positive results."

The best results will only come with a full workload of 200-plus innings. As he'll turn 29 in March, Arrieta is well beyond the age of taking baby steps toward improving his  durability. The Cubs helped his and their situation this past offseason by adding an ace in Jon Lester, who will be a leader and take some of the heat off Arrieta.

"In our exit meetings last September, we told Jake to take a little time off," Bosio said. "We also said to get into the weight room, do your yoga and prepare your body and mind for 2015. He took about three weeks off and then went to work. I think he is about six weeks ahead of where he was at last year."

Arrieta gives praise to Bosio and the entire coaching staff for the preparation and positive reinforcement they have imparted to him.

"He must accept a leadership role on our staff," Bosio said. "We talked to Jake about having that mindset coming into the season. His stuff is violent in a very good way. He comes at you with three violent pitches, which he commanded extremely well last season. He used his cutter-slider to perfection, sometimes deciding to deploy it in mid-delivery."

The durability issue will be the determining factor in Arrieta's future.

"When we get him to 200 innings, it will be like leading a horse to water," Bosio said. "We believe Jake can be a horse for us. We have high expectations for all of our pitchers. The fans and organization have high expectations as well."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.