Normally, someone in Arrieta's position — a free agent whose market has failed to materialize — might consider signing a one-year deal at a high salary as a means of waiting out the downturn and taking his chances again next winter. But even if Arrieta were to be on board with that strategy, and there is no indication either way, a team such as the Nationals may not be very motivated to forfeit a pair of 2018 draft picks (by virtue of Arrieta's having rejected the Cubs' qualifying offer) for just one year of his services.