Sinking-in feeling: Could this be Arrieta’s last year with Cubs?

TEMPE, Ariz. — The first words out of right-hander Jake Arrieta’s mouth when talking with the media after giving up a few hits and hitting a batter in the first start of what might be his last spring with the Cubs were: ‘‘I had nerves going into this one.’’

Arrieta said it’s normal for him each spring after a long layoff. He also said it’s a good thing, ‘‘an indicator that you care.’’

But it’s not a stretch to think that the butterflies might have fluttered a little faster in this one, that the likelihood he’s beginning his final season with the Cubs is starting to sink in.

‘‘You’re aware of it,’’ said Arrieta, whose career took off after the Cubs acquired him in a trade with the Orioles in 2013. ‘‘I don’t really harp on it.

‘‘It’s a situation many players have been in in the past. They’ve dealt with it, just the same way I will. And it might not always be something fun to talk about, but I understand that it’s just the circumstance of where I’m at in my career. And the time’s coming to a point where it’s either a deal gets done or I go to free agency. And that’s OK.’’

Arrieta’s agent, Scott Boras, and the Cubs have talked multiple times in the last two years about a general framework for a possible multiyear extension, but those discussions haven’t gained any traction. A strong personal relationship remains, but it’s hard to imagine the sides bridging the years/money gap.

Boras continues to draw parallels between Arrieta and another of his clients. Right-hander Max Scherzer got a seven-year, $210 million free-agent deal from the Nationals at age 30 after the 2014 season.

Arrieta has said he doesn’t plan to give the Cubs a market discount to re-sign. And despite his affection for and loyalty to his teammates and the Cubs, he already has achieved all there was to achieve in his three-plus seasons in Chicago.

Arrieta won a Cy Young Award in 2015, made an Opening Day start in 2016, threw two no-hitters, made an All-Star team and played a huge role in helping the Cubs win a World Series that ended the most storied championship drought in U.S. sports history.

He even won a Silver Slugger award as the top-hitting pitcher in baseball last season and was a Gold Glove finalist.

‘‘It’s kind of the business of this game,’’ Arrieta said of his status heading into the season. ‘‘But I think the focus needs to be for the next eight months on being a Chicago Cub and trying to do the best job I can individually and help my guys be the best they can be.’’

Arrieta might be the player in the Cubs’ clubhouse best equipped to handle the weight of the uncertainty while keeping that focus, given his mindset about his status, his healthy level of confidence, his willingness to embrace persistent media attention and his ability to leave it in the hands of his agent.

‘‘If the team wants to make an offer, they’ll come and make an offer,’’ said Arrieta, who received a record arbitration settlement of $15.64 million this year.

Arrieta clearly isn’t afraid of free agency. In fact, it might provide him with the next great opportunity in his career if he’s able to join the market-setters before him, such as Scherzer, David Price and Zack Greinke.

With another big season, Arrieta might be the top pitcher on a free-agent market that also might feature right-hander Yu Darvish and his surgically repaired arm and, if they exercise opt-out clauses, right-handers Johnny Cueto and Masahiro Tanaka.

He won’t be as young as Scherzer was in 2014; Arrieta turned 31 on Monday. But the man who took up Pilates three years ago said he’s a young 31.

‘‘I feel great,’’ he said. ‘‘I feel the same way I felt when I was in my early 20s. You hear age is just a number; I believe it is. I take care of myself pretty well. Thirty-one doesn’t sound great, but I still feel great. That’s all I’m worried about.’’

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Email: gwittenmyer@suntimes.com