Levine: Jake Arrieta Sharp In Spring Debut
By Bruce Levine--
MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- It was business as usual for the reigning National League Cy Young winner Wednesday.
Making his Cactus League debut, Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta seemed to pick up right where he left off in the 2015 regular season, tossing two perfect innings and striking out four against the Indians.
Save for a few minor adjustments, Arrieta had impeccable stuff.
"It was great getting out there for the first time," Arrieta said. "Worked on a lot, refined some things. My body control was incredible. The ball was coming out of my hand really well, with really low effort. Velocity was great. All signs are pointed in a really good direction."
The workload that Arrieta had to endure in 2015 has the coaching staff preparing him in a different manner, so as to lighten his burden in 2016. Arrieta tossed a career-high 248 2/3 innings in 2015, including the postseason. The most innings he'd logged prior to that in a season was 156 2/3.
To help Arrieta and the rotation out, the Cubs front office has loaded the bullpen with veterans who can pitch two or more innings a few times a week.
"Those bullets I have left will be more important in October," Arrieta said, embracing the micro-managing of his workload. "That is what I learned from last year. Last year was all about displaying that competitiveness I have had since I was a kid. At the end of the day and what is most important for our team is what I really care about. If that means throwing only 210 (innings) up until October instead of 230, I am fine with that."
With more pitching depth on hand, Cubs manager Joe Maddon can ease Arrieta into another crucial season and have him ready for a long playoff run.
"We are going to look more closely at getting him out of the game with a lead in the later part of the game," Maddon said. "I have already broached that subject with him. I think last season, it was important to do what he did (go 200-plus innings). He had never done that before. That had a lot to do with confidence and how he feels about himself. Now it's up to me and us to monitor and enable us to protect him in the later part of the game. I don't know where it will take us. I believe he understands all this now. He had to go through this last year to understand it. It is a tough sell to sell that thinking if someone hasn't done it before."
Currently under club control through 2017, Arrieta's hoping to get a long-term contract from the Cubs to reward his unique and newly found excellence. Reports of six- and seven-year deals are being floated around media circles. It's safe to say Arrieta wants a new deal before Opening Day against the Angels on April 4.
Arrieta emphasized Tuesday that he wouldn't want contract talks to continue during the season or get leaked then, as he wants to minimize distractions.
Since being traded to the Cubs in July 2013, Arrieta's 36-13 with a 2.26 ERA. His 2015 season was one for the pitching ages, as he went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, including a 0.75 ERA in the second half, a mark that was the best in baseball history. His 22 wins were the most by any Cubs pitcher since Fergie Jenkins won 24 in 1971.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
