The highly successful business that rocked the Rockies is done.
The complicated exchange that sent third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals became official on Monday night, ending Arenado’s Colorado management after eight golden seasons.
The news that a deal was being closed came on Friday night, but several issues had to be resolved before the deal became official. Those issues were resolved on Monday, sending the hitter five times all-star to St. Louis.
Trevor Story, Rockies’ all-star shortstop, reacted quickly to the news.
“Nolan is one of my best friends, baseball aside, so it hurts,” said Story, who is expected to become a free agent after this season. “He’s the best third baseman in the game. I’m sad and a little frustrated, to be honest. All I can do is focus on playing the best baseball I can for my teammates and fans, they deserve it. “
Rockies owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich are due to speak to the media on Tuesday morning to discuss a deal that left Rockies fans in an uproar.
Arenado, 29, an eight-time Gold Glove winner and one of the greatest players in the history of the Rocky Mountains, joins a Cardinal franchise that is among the most famous in major league history.
One of the centerpieces of the deal is the Rockies’ agreement to commit about $ 50 million to St. Louis to help cover part of the six years and $ 199 million remaining in the Arenado contract, according to a report by The Athletic. With the Rocky Mountains paying a portion of Arenado’s future salary, the Cardinals will pay him about $ 25 million a year.
When negotiating its main player, Colorado will save about $ 150 million over the next six years.
Colorado received five players in the deal, but no big names. Arriving in the Rocky Mountains are striker Mateo Gil, left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, right-handed pitcher Tony Locey, indoor pitcher Elehuris Montero and right-handed pitcher Jake Sommers.
The deal required major changes to Arenado’s contract, including adding an additional $ 15 million guaranteed year in exchange for Arenado agreeing to postpone the money during his deal with St. Louis. Arenado, who has an opt-out clause after 2021, now receives an additional opt-out after the 2022 season.
Because of the amount of money involved, the money that Arenado postponed and the rewrite of the opt-out clauses, the deal required approval from the commissioner’s office and the MLB Players’ Association.
Adding Arenado makes Cardinals – who desperately need power in their lineup – favorites in the National Central League. The Rockies, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding mode and are not considered competitors in the difficult NL West, where the talented Dodgers and Padres are favorites to compete for the title.
Prior to the 2019 season, Arenado signed an eight-year, $ 260 million extension with the Rockies.
“I love this group and that’s why I committed myself here,” said Arenado at the time. “I am comfortable here and I feel good about this young group that we have. The grass is not always greener on the other side and I really believe we can win. I wouldn’t make that decision if I didn’t believe it. I’m here for a long journey. “
But the relationship between Arenado and the front line quickly went sour. After going into the playoffs in 2017-18, the Rockies dropped to a record 71-91 in 2019 and Arenado was disappointed, believing the club was not committed to building a consistent winner. His relationship with Bridich became controversial last winter.