Cubs Have Had Enough of Jake Arrieta, Waive Him

After embarrassing himself both on and off the field, the Chicago Cubs have waved goodbye to—and waived—veteran pitcher Jake Arrieta.

Jake Arrieta’s final act as a Cub: telling a reporter to take his mask off https://t.co/phXZRJBD5Q pic.twitter.com/cmYEiXM11b

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2021

“I’d love you to take your mask off,” Jake Arrieta told a reporter on a video conference after a 10-0 loss while giving an answer about hoping to mentor young pitchers. https://t.co/8m4arcKBdK

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) August 12, 2021

Addressing the media after getting rocked for 8 earned runs in a 10-0 Cubs loss, ballooning his ERA even further, to 6.88, Arrieta was more concerned with a reporter's mask than answering for his performance. "I'd love you to take your mask off," he told the reporter on a video conference. 

Arrieta has been vocal in his anti-vaccine stance, one of several Cubs who have taken that stance, but as pointed out by The Athletic's Patrick Mooney, the logic of allowing him to make several more likely-dreadful starts this season when the Cubs are now looking to their future with young players, was beginning to make less and less sense to general manager Jed Hoyer. 

Make it stop, Jed Hoyer. If #Cubs owe Jake Arrieta anything, it’s the truth. And, truth is, it’s painfully obvious to everyone that tonight should be Jake’s last start. No need for a 6-man rotation. Give his turn in rotation to someone else who can benefit from the experience.

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) August 12, 2021

After surrendering 7 hits and 6 runs to begin the first inning, the fans at Wrigley Field derisively mocked Arrieta with loud cheers when he was finally able to get out of the inning. 

The 35-year-old pitcher was part of the Cubs phenomenal run to the World Series in 2016, but those days, and pretty much all of those players, are now long gone. 

Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports