According to Ken Rosenthal’s The Athletic and Jon Heyman’s MLB Network (separate reports), potential business partners for Colorado Rockies third base Nolan Arenado are beginning to reveal themselves.
Per Rosenthal on Thursday night:
“The Cardinals are discussing with the Rockies a deal that would bring the five-time All-Star third baseman to St. Louis, according to major league sources. No deal seems closed, and the other players who may be involved are not known. “
Heyman notes that Braves “checked-in” to Arenado, but admits that the Atlanta offer is “probably a long shot,” considering the astronomical payback Colorado is likely seeking for its franchise player and the Rockies’ reluctance in “eating a lot of money”.
In December, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Rockies hoped to involve the New York Mets in a potential deal, although no confirmed traction in a deal has been reported since.
Arenado, 29, is entering the third season of a $ 260 million eight-year contract that he signed with Colorado before the 2019 season. He has an opt-out incorporated into his contract after the 2021 season.
After accumulating video game numbers for most of five seasons (.300 / .362 / .575, 199 home runs, 190 doubles, 128 wRC +, 27 fWAR from 2015 to 2019), Arenado experienced a noticeable drop in production in the last year .
More than 201 plate appearances for the Rockies in 2020, the five times NL All-Star and eight times NL Gold Glove Award hit 0.253 / 0.303 / 0.434 with eight homers and nine doubles (76 wRC +).
Arenado’s statistics playing away from the hitter’s friend Coors Field in Denver were a prominent point of discussion throughout his career (.322 / .376 / .609, 136 HR, 128 wRC + at home against .263 / .322 / .471, 99 HR, 108 wRC + on the road).
Since 2002, the Rockies have stored their baseballs in a local humidifier in an attempt to negate the effect that their stadium, which is almost a kilometer above sea level, has on a well-hitting baseball.
Mike Petriello’s MLB.com addressed Arenado’s struggles away from home at the beginning of this off-season. It is worth reading.
We will keep you informed as new information becomes available.
