On Tuesday morning in Clearwater, Gabe Kapler and Matt Klentak shared the dais with a rich man in a pullover making circular analogies, and a stud starting pitcher who just signed a deal that could bring him over $100 million.
Back in December, Carlos Santana became the richest Philadelphia Phillie since Cliff Lee. Now it’s Jake Arrieta who holds that honor after signing a three-year, $75 million guaranteed contract, with options and incentives that could take the deal to $135 million over five years. Arrieta is three years removed from one of the best pitching campaigns in recent memory, and while he’s not considered the very best of pitchers, he’s still a top-of-the-rotation animal, a player designed to stop losing streaks and start winning streaks.