Jake Arrieta extension price soaring for Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO -- Cubs ace Jake Arrieta not only continues to excel, but his potential asking price for a new deal appears to be soaring, especially in the wake of Stephen Strasburg's recent $175 million, seven-year deal with Washington.

But any new contract for the Cubs right-hander may not materialize until 2017 unless both sides agreed to an extension of the current deal.

He's currently operating on a one-year agreement worth $10.7 million and with one year of arbitration.

Arrieta was asked by reporters last week if he was worth $175 million.

"I'll let you judge that," he said. "Just look at the numbers."

Without talking any specifics on a new deal, Arrieta did say he's not inclined to give Chicago any kind of hometown discount when negotiations get under way in earnest.

The 30-year-old right-hander (7-0, 1.77 ERA) is now 23-1 with a 0.98 ERA in his last 28 starts since June 21 of last year, the best 28-game stretch in Cubs history.

The Cubs have won Arrieta's last 21 starts, extending a franchise record. He is now one of just five pitchers since 1913 to have their teams win 21 starts made by them.

He's allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 28 starts, the longest such streak since 1893 when the pitching rubber was set at 60-feet, 6-inches from home plate.

Arrieta will likely pitch later this week when the Cubs travel to San Francisco for a four-game series with the Giants that opens on Friday.