Is it time for the Chicago Cubs to part ways with Jake Arrieta?
By Meghan Montemurro  Chicago Tribune (TNS)  CHICAGO  There always was a possibility this reunion between the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta would end poorly. Thats the inevitable risk that comes with a former Cy Young Award winner in the twilight of his career returning to the franchise with which he experienced his greatest personal success and helped end a 108-year World Series title drought. So in mid-February, when Arrieta agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract that includes a mutual option for next year, a second stint with the organization  good or bad  would become the final memory for Cubs fans. As far as a legacy goes, I dont put a lot of thought into that, Arrieta said in February after he signed. I think thats more something that you might put some attention to as your career comes to an end. But I think Ive got quite a bit left to offer in this game, and thats really what I look forward to.  On a muggy Tuesday night before 30,095 at Wrigley Field, as Arrieta walked off to somber applause and a smattering of boos, this chapter of his Cubs career seemed to be in its last pages. He couldnt get out of the second inning in a 15-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the team that gave him the big contract the Cubs wouldnt after the 2017 season. The outing became a disaster from the first pitch Arrieta threw, which nestled into the left-field ivy for a ground-rule double. By the time Andrew McCutchen stepped to the plate, the Phillies had loaded the bases with nobody out. A 91.7 mph sinker Arrieta left down the middle landed in the first row of the center-field bleachers for a grand slam. He came out in the second after allowing five of the first seven Phillies hitters to reach. Again with the bases loaded, Rhys Hoskins delivered the decisive blow. His two-run double knocked Arrieta out of the game with the Cubs trailing 7-0. Only 28 of his 55 pitches went for strikes. His final line in the Cubs 11th consecutive loss: seven runs, six hits, two walks and four strikeouts in 1 innings. Tuesday marked the second straight start Arrieta failed to get through the second inning. His previous start featured an implosion against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, failing to take advantage of a 7-0 lead the offense handed him in the first inning. By the time he exited, the Brewers had tagged him for six runs (three earned) in 1 innings. Afterward, manager David Ross, asked about reassessing Arrietas spot in the rotation, noted the Cubs would reset with last Thursdays day off and added: I dont know who we would replace him with.  Figuring out the answer to that question must be a priority for the Cubs. Even as they crater in the National League Central standings, they cant continue to start Arrieta every fifth game when hes not giving them competitive starts. Any hope of Arrieta building a modicum of trade value before July 30 has evaporated. After Tuesdays brief outing, Arrieta has an 8.55 ERA over his last 12 starts with the Cubs going 3-9 in those games. We dont think mechanically its anything that he needs to work on, Ross said over the weekend. He needs to get in the zone a little bit more. He feels good, he just needs to get to expecting good outcomes. When things arent going well, even with a guy with his track record, you can get down on yourself. Things can start working a little quick.  Arrietas would-be next start aligns with Sundays first-half finale at home versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Maybe the Cubs decide to ride out the situation and then make changes after the All-Star break. But right-hander Trevor Williams would be a convenient option to slide into that start. Williams, who was activated from the injured list before Tuesdays game, gave up seven runs (three earned) in 3 innings out of the bullpen. Starting Williams would buy time for the Cubs to figure out where to go from here with Arrieta. One path the Cubs could take is stretching out left-hander Justin Steele, currently on rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs dramatic fall out of first place and approaching seller status at the trade deadline presents an opportunity to get a look at players who can help them in the future. Steele and right-hander Keegan Thompson qualify. Building them up to get starts in the second half is an obvious choice. Williams, whose numbers werent great before being sidelined by an appendectomy, can be a placeholder in the meantime. Breakups are hard when there is history like that between the Cubs and Arrieta. Its hard to see how they have a path forward together.