CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after striking out Tyler Naquin #30 of the Cleveland Indians with the bases loaded during the fourth inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs had a lot of great players play for them over the last decade. They were so good that they all came together to win the World Series in 2016. There was a combination of great hitters, defensive players, and pitchers that got the job done for them for so long.
One of those great players was Jake Arrieta. The Cubs acquired him along with Pedro Strop in exchange for Steve Clevenger and Scott Feldman. This trade with the Baltimore Orioles was huge for the Cubs because of what Jake Arrieta became despite being the “second player” in the deal.