Jake Arrieta Unconditionally Released By Cubs amid Season-Long Struggles

Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesOn Thursday, Jake Arrieta's second stint in Chicago Cubs was over.In a series roster moves, the Cubs announced that they had placed the 2015 National League Cy Young Winner on unconditional release waivers.Arrieta signed a one year deal with the Cubs in February. After three inconsistant seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, he was looking to be a dominant pitcher again.Arrieta and the Cubs have had a difficult 2021. The Cubs went into sell mode just before the deadline and moved Joc Pederson and Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. They are now 52-6417.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently in first place.Arrieta had a 6.88 ERA and 113 hits in 86.1 innings over 20 starts. In his last start for Chicago, the right-hander gave up eight runs and 11 hits against the Brewers in four innings.Despite his struggles this year, Arrieta will always be a special person in the hearts of Cubs fans and the Cubs organization. He was an integral part in their rebuilding from 2013-17.Arrieta was in the top 10 in NL Cy Young voting for three consecutive years, from 2014-16. To help the Cubs break their 108-year drought, he won both of his starts against Cleveland in the 2016 World Series.