Theo Epstein On Jake Arrieta Negotiations: 'Kind Of An Eternity To Start Thinking Of 2018 Right Now'

(CBS) Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has often talked openly about the risk and concern that comes with forking over big money to pitchers on long-term contracts.

As Cubs ace Jake Arrieta continues a historic run of dominance, that idea still informs Epstein in what he does. In spring training, Arrieta's representation and the Cubs had talks on a long-term contract, but nothing came to fruition. Arrieta's believed to be seeking either a six-year or seven-year deal, while the Cubs haven't been willing to commit to that long. On their end, the Cubs have raised the idea of a four-year deal, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported earlier this week.

Part of the reason for a lack of progress is because it's still 2016, not 2018, as Epstein reminds. Arrieta's under club control through 2017.

"With pitching, you can't think too far in advance really," Epstein told 670 The Score's Mark Grote. "I think it'd be a different story if he were eligible for free agency at the end of the year, but we're lucky to have him as a Cub at least through 2017 and we certainly hope much longer. He's putting himself in a position to get a great contract, and whether that comes with us before he's eligible for free agency, when he's eligible for free agency or he goes somewhere else, that remains to be seen. But I know Jake's focus from the day he showed up at spring training was on his teammates and his team winning games. That's where our focus is too.

"In baseball, with pitchers, it's kind of an eternity to start thinking of 2018 right now. That's not something that's at the forefront of our mind, but we certainly appreciate Jake and would love for him to be here as long as possible."

The 30-year-old Arrieta's age isn't a reason for reluctance on the Cubs' part, Epstein said.

"I don't think about his age when I think about him," Epstein said. "I just think about how hard he's worked to become what he is right now and the role that he has on the team. Again, he's performing at such a high level, it would be absurd not to look at what comparable guys have gotten and to think that he deserves that.

"The day to day focus is on winning ball games and the fact that we know he's going to be with us at least through the end of 2017. And we'll just kind of take it from there."

The reigning NL Cy Young winner, Arrieta authored the greatest second half of any pitcher in baseball history in 2015, when he went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA. He's 6-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 0.74 WHIP this season, winning every start he's made.