Jake Arrieta, Cubs 'Far Apart' In Avoiding Arbitration

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Arbitration can be considered a messy situation, but Cubs ace Jake Arrieta understands it's part of the business.

Shortly after coming in $5.5 million apart in negotiations -- the Cubs offering $7.5 million and Arrieta wanting $13 million when salary figures were exchanged Friday -- the pitcher and his team were together at the annual Cubs Convention.

"I don't take it personal," Arrieta said of the negotiations. "It's business at the highest level. A lot of money is involved. They want to save money and we want a little more of it -- naturally, that's how it goes. But both sides are intelligent and have done this a lot. It'll get worked out."

Arrieta won the NL Cy Young in 2015, a season in which he posted a 22-6 record with a 1.77 ERA. Arrieta was dominant in helping the Cubs to the NLCS.

The Cubs and Arrieta are working to find common ground on a new contract. Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras, is considered one of the toughest and best in baseball, one who prefers his clients to test the waters in free agency. Arrieta has made it clear he would like to stay in Chicago. He's under team control through 2017.

The two sides continue to work toward avoiding arbitration, something the Cubs have done with six of their seven arbitration-eligible players. Arrieta remains the one without a deal in place.

Arbitration hearing take place in February.

"We're far apart," Arrieta said. "But that's kind of how these things go. This happens a lot. They have their number and we have ours. We like our pace. But at the end of the day, something will get worked out. It doesn't take away from what the goal is, and that's to get ready for spring and be ready for the start of our season."

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.