Report: Phillies Ink Starter Jake Arrieta to a Three-Year Deal

The Phillies have signed free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta to a three-year deal, pending a physical, according to multiple reports.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today, who had reported earlier that a deal was 'looming' confirms the three-year deal is worth $75 million.

The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner, gives the Phillies a solid duo at the top of their rotation for a team that looks stronger on paper than it did a few hours ago. Last year’s team won just 66 games, finishing last in the NL East. This year, the National League looks wide-open, and the battle for the postseason figures to be hotly contested. The Phillies, with the infusion of young talent, signing of Carlos Santana and now the addition of Arrieta, are now solidly among those teams with legitimate postseason aspirates.

Arrieta, 32, posted a 3.53 ERA in 168.1 innings, going 14-10 for the Cubs in 2017.

He joins Aaron Nola, Jared Eickhoff, and Vince Velasquez in the starting rotation with the fifth spot up-for-grabs in Clearwater.

To make room on the 40-man roster the Phillies designated 1B Tommy Joseph for assignment.