It's been quite the week for the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta, as the hurler has fended off performance-enhancing drug accusations, while continuing to pitch like one of the best in all of baseball.

One more thing on the mind of the reigning NL Cy Young winner could be a long-term deal with Chicago, although MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports the two parties are far apart on finalizing anything of the sort.

According to Heyman, Arrieta is seeking a seven-year deal, while Chicago has a four-year offer on the table, and there is currently no optimism about a long-term deal getting done soon.

Arrieta said earlier this week that he's sure he could get a seven-year deal as a free agent, so he wants the Cubs to pay up.

"If we don’t work out a deal here, and I go to free agency, I will get six or seven years. No doubt about that," Arrieta told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "I’d like to stay in Chicago, but if they don’t want me, somebody will."

Both he and agent Scott Boras asked for a seven-year deal over the winter, but the Cubs were only willing to negotiate for three or four years.

The 30-year-old, who owns a perfect 5-0 record with an ERA of 1.00, believes he's entitled to a big contract considering how well he's performed.

"Look at all of the pitchers getting six- and seven-year deals at 30, 31, and 32," Arrieta said. "You see what's going on and the money that's out there. You'd be a fool not to try to benefit from that, or at least try to get what you feel you're worth.

"You've got to strike when the iron is hot. And mine will be hot for a while."