Jake Arrieta Rumored to Be Receiving Interest from Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly interested in signing free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, according to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network.

Per that report, "With Jimmy Nelson expected to miss a portion of 2018 after shoulder surgery, the team is looking for top-of-the-rotation upgrades."

Arrieta, 31, went 14-10 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 30 starts and 168.1 innings. The 2015 NL Cy Young winner and 2016 MLB champion should demand plenty of attention in free agency, and a return to Chicago is certainly a possibility. 

Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras, has already publicly said the Cubs could afford to bring the starting pitcher back if they so choose.

"They have a new TV contract coming up, and they have this amazing group of everyday players who are young and gifted," he noted, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "They have all these choices. … The amount of money that's rolling in, the revenues annually and in the future, the Cubs can do whatever they choose to do in this free-agent market and the next ones."

He added, "When you have a guy like that out there, I don't know why you would not want him and not want him long term, because he brings a dimension to you that few teams have."

Arrieta will garner interest around the league, of course. As David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune wrote last week, rumors have already linked the starting pitcher to the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, among other teams.

The Brewers appear to be one of those teams, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that, following a surprising 86-76 season that saw them nearly earn a wild-card bid, they're looking to take the next step. Adding an ace would appear to be atop their wish list.

As Morosi reported on the MLB Network (h/t The Brewer Nation), "The Brewers have set no limitations on the starting pitchers they are pursuing," adding that "If you are an elite level pitcher, the Brewers are calling on you."

He reiterated that the team was interested in Arrieta, adding that it also had interest in Yu Darvish, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb.