The Rockies and Arenado both agreed in February 2019 that they had a future together, when the Rockies signed Arenado to a 8 year $260 million contract with a full no-trade clause and a player opt-out after the 2021 season. The Rockies were looking on the uptrend after the 2017 and 2018 season when they made the playoffs. They took a big step backwards and lost 91 games in 2019. Arenado was not shy about his displeasure of losing. The rumors started to really heat up after the Winter Meetings where Anthony Rendon signed his 7 year $245 Million contract with the Angels.
The big 3 in the race for Nolan Arenado were the Rangers, Braves, and the Cardinals. Rangers wanted to make a big splash but did not get the Texas man Rendon. All the rumors out their had a consensus that the Rangers would have to include stud prospect Josh Jung, who should be MLB ready by the 2021 season. This would have been a big splash to the to pair with the Korey Kluber acquisition and in their new stadium. This trade would have defiantly got the fans excited especially when Rangers were spoiled with future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre at the hot corner for a decade. Just imagine if the Rangers could have paired Gallo and Arenado. It would probably get Gallo better pitches to atleast help Gallo be a better version of Adam Dunn.
As we know now the Atlanta Braves are still in the market for a 3rd Baseman. Especially since Josh Donaldson signed with the Minnesota Twins. The Braves are already breaking their own salary records. The AAV on the Arenado Contract is $32.5 million. That would mean more than a $50 million spike in salary from 2018 to the 2019 salary since they just landed Marcell Ozuna for 1 year $18 million. We do know that the Braves have one of the best farm systems in the league, but would you spoil it for only a guaranteed 2 seasons? I think the Braves were smart to not pull the trigger in the offseason. They may find a diamond in the rough somewhere or they have faith in Camargo.
The Cardinals were another team that were really connected in the Arenado trade rumors. With the Cardinals losing Ozuna to the Braves, I think they are at a double Loss right now. They lost Ozuna to the team that took them all 5 games to beat in the NLDS. The Cardinals probably have the best chance of getting Arenado. They have a mixture of great young MLB talent and prospects in the minors. they also have only 3 players on contract after the 2021 season making it easier to work around Arenado’s 32.5 AAV contract.
With so much flexibility in that category, the Cardinals are probably gonna want a longer, guaranteed term with Arenado if they are gonna have to part ways with their young talent. We all know the MLBPA would throw a hissyfit if Arenado did not get more money upfront if he waived his release clause right away. The question would be then, if they got Arenado to do away with the release clause how much more money would they be wiling to give him. Remember the Cardinals did not want to fork over the money to for-sure future first ballot Hall Of Famer Albert Pujols.
Nolan did say he did feel disrespected by the Rockies. It is gonna take a lot to win back his love, but with the information we have right now it looks like the relationship is beyond repair. The pressure is on the Rockies now to try and get the best deal before he has the option to opt-out of his contract. Right now you got 3 teams that are leading the way for Arenado. I think their will be one more team that maybe a dark horse because I think they are highly doubtful. That team is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are coming off another horrible post season performance and that they lost to teams that were caught using illegal surveillance during games. The Dodgers are also in a long World Series drought. They have the farm system and a market that can support convincing both Colorado to trade to them and Arenado to waive that opt-out clause. I think more than ever the Dodgers are in a win now situation and this may help them get over the top.
addamcigarroa 