Cubs free-agent tracker: Twins, Rangers may target Jake Arrieta; Where Wade Davis, John Lackey might sign in 2018

Cubs free-agent tracker: Where Jake Arrieta, Wade Davis may end up

By John Silver

Free agency has begun in Major League Baseball. Here is the latest on the eight Cubs free agents and where they might land next season.

Jake Arrieta, right-handed starting pitcher, 2017 salary: $15.6 million

Has until Nov. 16 to accept $17.4 million qualifying offer or he will become a free agent.
11/14: Twins like Darvish and Arrieta — but Darvish tops list (link)
11/14: MLB insiders surveys predict Arrieta will sign with Rangers (link)
11/09: Twins could target top-tier free-agent starters, but Arrieta could be out of their price range (link)
11/09: Ranked No. 3 overall free agent by USA Today. “Rangers may be the most logical fit.” (link)
08/07: Told the Sun-Times that there would be no scenario in which he can imagine accepting a qualifying offer from the Cubs to stick around another season before hitting the free-agent market (link)
Oddsmakers favor him landing with Rangers, Nationals and Brewers. (link)

Wade Davis, right-handed relief pitcher, 2017 salary: $10 million

Has until Nov. 16 to accept $17.4 million qualifying offer or he will become a free agent.
11/09: Cubs will push hard to bring him back, USA Today says. (link)
11/07: Best fit for Davis could be with Cardinals, according to SI.com (link)
11/04: Davis seems like an ideal fit for the Astros, whose bullpen is the one problematic area of a very fine team, according to the Boston Globe. (link)
Oddsmakers favor him going with the Astros, followed by Cardinals and Twins. (link)

Alex Avila, catcher, 2017 salary $2 million

11/09: “With his lefty bat and solid defensive reputation, Avila should land a starting job.” USA Today (link)
11/07: SI.com urges Orioles to sign Avila to mentor prospect Chance Sisco (link)
11/07: Currently in Italy, presumably for former teammate Justin Verlander’s wedding (link)

Brian Duensing, left-handed relief pitcher, 2017 salary: $2 million

Jon Jay, outfielder, 2017 salary: $8 million

11/09: “Jay would prefer to return to the Cubs … but that seems unlikely” USA Today (link)
10/19: Jay told the Sun-Times he wants to remain a Cub. “I love it here,’’ Jay said. ‘‘I cannot deny that. I absolutely love it here. We’ll see what happens. But right now, I enjoy being with this group no matter what happens.” (link)

John Lackey, right-handed starting pitcher. 2017 salary: $16 million

11/09: If no one meets his price, he’ll simply walk away from the game. (link)
11/08: Sources tell Jon Heyman that Lackey will not be retiring and will pitch in 2018 (link)
9/27: It is thought Lackey will retire after the 2017 season (link)

Rene Rivera, catcher, 2017 salary: $1.75 million