With almost all high-end free agents having signed since free agency opened in November, the trade market has become the best avenue for securing star-level talent. It’s up in the air whether any standouts will change hands in the coming weeks, granted, but rumors have persisted regarding the likes of MVP-caliber players such as Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts.
In Arenado’s case, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich came out Monday and admitted he has listened to offers for the all-world third baseman, but no team has made a compelling enough pitch to pry him out of Colorado. As such, the Rockies expect to open 2020 with Arenado as the centerpiece of their roster.
According to Bridich, “we can put this to bed and collectively look forward to the upcoming season and work toward that.” Arenado may have other ideas, though. Shortly after Bridich’s statements became public, the 28-year-old Arenado broke his silence on the constant trade rumors surrounding himself and took aim at the Rockies in the process. Arenado said he feels the Rockies have “disrespected” him, adding that “there’s a lot of disrespect from people there that I don’t want to be a part of.”
Arenado didn’t name names, but the fact that he’s calling out the organization is nonetheless jarring. After all, just before last season, the Rockies signed Arenado to a franchise-record contract extension worth $234MM over seven years. That massive dollar figure is probably one of the reasons they haven’t found a trade to their liking for Arenado yet. Moreover, Arenado’s pact contains an opt-out clause after 2021 – yet another cause for teams not to present an enormous offer to the Rockies for him – as well as full no-trade rights. Of course, if Arenado’s this fed up with high-level members of the Colorado organization, and if it’s true that winning is his top priority (the Rockies didn’t do much of that in 2019, nor do they look likely to contend this year), the no-trade clause may not pose a problem.
So far this winter, the Cardinals, Rangers, Braves, Dodgers and Nationals have all been linked to Arenado in the rumor mill. Aside from the Rangers, each of those teams made the playoffs last year. It stands to reason Arenado would have interest in joining the majority of those teams, but one of them (or another club) will first have to entice the Rockies to give up the “disrespected” face of their franchise. Do you expect that to happen?
(Poll link for app users)
[polldaddy poll=10493826]
Traded by the deadline.
wont be on team opening day
A player speaking out negatively about his club is so rare. Arenado must be unhappy with the Colorado organization for reasons that go beyond them not actively trying to trade him.
So it’s not really news about Arenado being fed up with the Rockies. The guy is literally one of the best 3rd baseman every year in almost every category, yet only had one promising run with the Rockies. Instead of building on it, they changed strategies that returned them to the bottom of the division. The guy wants to win and is feeling like he’s stuck.
If he feels stuck, why did he sign the (nearly) quarter of a billion $$$ extension? He has an opt out clause in two years and will surely take it. In the mean time he can okay a trade to a contender. or stay put if one doesn’t materialize.
I don’t think Colorado changed strategies. The team just sucked with the same strategy as before. Jeff Bridich spent a boatload of money on very little to help the team. That’s what he has done the entire time he has been in Colorado. The well is pretty much dried up at this point. They aren’t going to spend the Yankees or Red Sox. Nor would I let Bridich spend my money if I were the owner.
A trade may make sense but how has he been disrespected? Terrible look for that guy. He’s probably a great teammate.
If Arenado is this frustrated then he’s gone. Opening day or deadline doesn’t matter. Rockies obviously don’t want him traded now.
You think Arenado would have learned from the Tulo trade
Arenado has a full no trade clause. He can go where he wants or at worst is gone in 2 yrs anyways. He isn’t injury prone and is a much better player. If you’re referencing Coors field effect, that’s drastically overblown. The situations aren’t the same.
Arenado would put up nice numbers outside of Coors. Just not at the level he is being paid. The Coors effect counts for him too. Let’s not kid ourselves. Compare his road numbers with other 3B. He rarely cracks the Top 10 in OPS.
DJLM disagrees with your assessment of the Coors Field effect.
DJLM just went from one extremely hitter friendly home venue to another extremely hitter friendly home venue. He had a .977 OPS in Yankee Stadium, and a .818 OPS away from home.
mlb.. but that’s just it. Half the parks in the league are hitter friendly. Add the juiced ball and most everywhere is hitter friendly.
Compare how “other ” 3rd basemen hit “AWAY ” from their home ballpark. It’s commonsense that “practically” everyone hits BETTER in their home ballpark.
I agree with the “overblown Coors Field effect.” A player still has to hit the ball! Look at the short porch in right field of Yankee Stadium. Haven’t heard anyone talking about that.
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He’s referring to the situation regarding Tulo’s trade. Very similar.
Arenado will probably outlast the GM. He is extremely popular in Colorado and there is no indication that his comments are directed toward ownership.
As much as I want him on the Braves I think it’s inevitable that he will be a Cardinal before opening day.
He’s a crybaby, no one can take him and salary that comes with him, he set situation up, or his agent & that clause makes it even harder to swallow, glad Cards didn’t get, might change balance in NLC, fans love him in mile high!!
I say he’s history in Colorado. After him speaking out like this, he is essentially forcing a trade. He is leaving ownership and the front office no choice but to find a suitable offer and accept it.
He’s worth a prospect…Atlanta could take on that salary…sounds like one of those opportunistic *GO!* situations, to me.
If he waived the opt out he’ll be traded before opening day
I agree. Even if he would agree to move back the opt out a couple years STL would jump all over it. They see the Cubs and Brewers falling back and are looking to go for the throat. And no…I’m not a Cards fan. I’m on the other side of the state.
I wish you were correct Thunderroad !!! But the Cards Principle Owner, Bill DeWitt Jr. would never allow the Cardinals to trade for a player making that much money. DeWitt Jr. is a cheap skate!! A young proven impact player who could change the course of the current Cardinals starters won’t even interest Bill DeWitt Jr. He could care less who the players are on his team as long as payrolls don’t go up!!! Besides that—— It’s an all but verified rumor that Bill DeWitt Jr. was the one insisting to give a worn out Matt Carpenter, $$36 million over the next 2 years!! Knowing that fact—-Carpenter (.216 BA in 2019), plays 3rd base—-therefore, besides the money, he wants Carpenter to play 3rd and start!!! No Arenaldo in a Cardinal uniform!!! Although, Common Sense would tell you he would be a perfect, Offensively and especially defensively. All DeWitt Jr. or John Mozeliak will say publicly is “Carpenter is going to turn things around this season! They have confidence in that!!” Yelp! When Cows start flying! Ha!). I have confidence that the 2 year Carpenter contract is going to kill the Cardinals!! Not just this season but next season also.
The cardinals have a top 10 payroll…go take your meds and settle down
So, lets say the Rockies spent money on Cole or Strasberg. Arenado would then cry when they can’t resign Trevor Story.
He may want out of COL but I don’t blame the team for not just giving him away. So he’ll be on the opening day roster and the rest is up to him.
I would have said No, but after this I think they will trade him to the Cardinals, Rangers or Phillies. Atlanta has the pieces to get it done but i dont think ownership can stomach $230mil
Open yes close no
The Rockies disrespected him $234M different ways.
Those numbers away from Coors have to make teams hesitant. He’s more valuable to COL than to any other team which inherently makes it hard to work out a trade
He is more valuable offensively in Colorado, but then who isn’t? On the other side of the coin, he brings his glove in the bargain and it will play well anywhere.
No trade. Stays with Rockies until end of 2021. If Bridich is still GM at that point he opts out.
Reading between the lines, did Bridich tell Nolan something in order to get him signed, then not deliver?
I suspect there was some very specific roster improvements promised on the one hand and …”crickets”
Why is the reply button turned off for all of my posts?
“They” don’t want you talking to yourself in public
It’s there. MLBTR is changing things so the site has been a little whacky. I’ve had glitches come and go since they started.
I don’t see a reply button (or up-vote or flag) for any post I’ve made or any post replying to my posts. Seems others do though, so that’s just weird. Anyone else?
I don’t care what happens. I care that it’s lunchtime.
Could the nats have him for kieboom. Wouldn’t give up robles. Not that they want to pay $35M/yr.
I was listening to the radio today and they had Jeff Passan on…he told them one name the Rockies wanted from the cardinals…Jack Flaherty…and he said the asking price after him wasn’t getting any cheaper…that is why he has not been traded and why he won’t…the Rockies are being ridiculous
Bridich has alienated his best 2 players. He is taking Story to arbitration over a small amount. He has blundered everything he touches, bring in a new GM from the outside.