Phillies owner: Not talking Arrieta with Boras
Looking to add a starting pitcher ahead of Opening Day, the Philadelphia Phillies have been linked to prized free-agent right-hander Jake Arrieta in recent days.
Arrieta, a surprise leftover on the market in the final days of February, is represented by superagent Scott Boras, who often negotiates with owners directly when it comes to his biggest clients. That hasn't been the case with the Phillies, though, as owner John Middleton told reporters Thursday that he's had no contact with Boras. That will continue to be the case moving forward.
"We're pretty clear that [general manager Matt Klentak's] the guy," Middleton said. "I think you have to do that or you cut the legs out from your general manager. Look, I don't know what I'd do if my phone rang right now and it was Scott Boras. I mean, honestly, I think what I'd say is, 'Scott, it's nice to talk to you, but I don't negotiate. Matt does. I don't want to be rude, but I'm paying the guy a lot of money.'"
Reports earlier this week had the Phillies engaged in preliminary talks regarding a deal with Arrieta, who won the 2015 National League Cy Young Award as a member of the Chicago Cubs. The Phils are open to a three-year contract with the 31-year-old but are unwilling to commit for as long as six to seven years, MLB.com reports, citing sources.
Arrieta was 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA in 2015 and 68-31 with a 2.73 ERA in 128 starts with the Cubs over the last five seasons.
When asked about his team's chances of adding a starter this spring, Middleton suggested signing a free agent or making a trade are both potential options on the table.
"It's hard to characterize it at this point," Middleton said. "It's not so remote that you'd say no, there's really no chance. But I would tell you we're not just looking at free agents. We're talking to teams about trades, because there are players that we would trade for.
"We want to improve the team, we're always trying to improve the team, but we've got to do it a way that makes sense now and next year. We don't want to sacrifice something significant in the future by making a short-term move. Whether it's a trade or a signing, if we get the deal we think is right, we'll do it. We'll pull the trigger. Money is zero object. No object whatsoever."
--Field Level Media
