January 22nd, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 To the surprise of most baseball fans, Colorado Rockies Gold Glove, All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado has been the subject of trade rumors for most of the 2019-20 Hot Stove season. The reason for the surprise is simple: With all due respect to Rockies’ terrific shortstop Trevor Story and outfielder Charlie Blackmon, Arenado is the face of the Rockies organization.
Over the last five seasons, Arenado is on pace to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame the first year in which he is eligible, and less than eleven months ago he and the team agreed to an eight-year/$260 million contract extension.
But shortly after the 2019 World Series, the Rockies decided to listen to, then seemingly solicit trade offers for Arenado involving teams like the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. In addition to the players/prospects the team would expect in return for their star player, there were obstacles to overcome in a trade, specifically the full no-trade clause in Arenado’s contract, and his option to leave via free agency after the 2021 season.
On Monday, January 20, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich announced that the team would not trade Arenado prior to the season, apparently not receiving any offer they deemed acceptable for the face of the team. Less than 24 hours later, Arenado went public that he felt “disrespected,” and “crossed” by the team; specifically Bridich.
(Photo credit – Isaiah J. Downing)
What may this fractured relationship between Arenado and the Rockies mean for the Dodgers? President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been forthright that the team was pursuing elite players for the 2020 roster, and there is no doubt that Nolan Arenado fits that description. More so than Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, or Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Arenado aligns with the Dodgers immediate – and future – needs at the position. But the Dodgers are likely the last team that the Rockies would consider as a trade partner.
Is a trade between the two National League West rivals probable? No. We can only imagine the blowback from Rockies fans seeing Arenado playing for the Dodgers, perhaps for the next seven years which might include several world championships. That potential alone may be a non-starter for the Rockies regardless of the players/prospects received in return.
But is a trade possible? Yes, if the right set of circumstances align for what would be a classic old-time blockbuster.
- The Rockies decide that the divide between the team (Bridich) and Arenado is irreparable and it is time to cut payroll, get the best possible deal for their star player, even if that deal is with the Dodgers;
- The Dodgers decide that Arenado’s age, talent, position, and years of team control are worth trading several of their top prospects; and,
- Arenado decides to leverage his full no-trade and opt-out clauses to engineer a trade to the Dodgers.
We can only speculate, but acquiring a seven-time Gold Glove third baseman, who is also one of baseball’s best offensive players at the position, would make the Dodgers the prohibitive favorite to be the National League representative in the 2020 – and future – World Series.
Which players would you be willing to trade to the Rockies for Arenado?
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How sweet it would be, but …..
The stuff of dreams, but I don’t see it happening.
Only way to get Arenado would be to include Lux. So Lux, Ruiz, Gonsolin and Peters.
Rockies would be crazy to pass up that package of players for what is now a disgruntled player. But Dodgers should only make that offer contingent on Arenado waiving his opt out clause
Lux, Stripling, Garlick, Santana, Ruiz, Joe and Orel.
Friedman will never trade his precious prospects.
Friedman will not trade top prospects for a couple of month, year, or two year rental, including Arenado. But, if Arenado will waive his opt out clause and Dodgers would have him under team control for 7 years I believe he would part with several of his top prospects.
Would trade anybody in a package except Buehler, Kershaw, Seager,Bellinger.
Seager, Kershaw, J Turner. 0
Assuming team control for 7 years, Seager,Stripling,Ruiz and Gonsolin. Seager could play 3rd and the others address Colorado needs as well. I would keep Lux as our shortstop
I doubt Rockies would want Seager with only 2 years before he can leave via free agency (Boras is his agent)
I hope so.
If this is true, I am done with the Colorado Rockies!! If they can’t get better ownership or a GM willing to keep these great players here in Denver, screw them. I still cannot get over losing Ottovino to the Yankees! This type of management will never change and I am sick of it!
If I am the owner of the Rockies I want to know how we got to the point that Nolan Arenado believes he has been “disrespected and crossed.” And, if the situation can be fixed I would take all reasonable steps to fix the situation; I want Arenado to be a lifetime Rockie and go into the Hall of Fame wearing a Colorado hat. As a Dodgers fan I would obviously love to have him playing in LA.
who da fuq is ottovino??
The Dodgers should begin with trading JT to an American League team where he can double as a corner infielder and DH. I’d rather keep a young Seager at short, Lux at second and Muncy at first.
Now you can offer any one of Joc, CT3, Keke, Pollock and a pitcher plus young players. It will probably take a huge haul of Major league players, top minor leaguers and some potential. About 4-5 players but it would be well worth it. Arrenado is a stud and we would be bringing him home to SoCal!
My take. Dodgers need another RH, run producing hitter; trading Turner would be counterintuitive to balance the Dodgers lineup. I don’t think Rockies will take players who will be free agents in next year or two (Joc, Kiké, CT3), or Pollock who declining defense would be further exposed in the huge Colorado outfield. I think Rockies will only trade Arenado to the Dodgers if Lux is included, possibly with Ruiz, Gonsolin, and a player like Edwin Rios who could be a star playing in Mile High Stadium.
Jesse, this is a deal where I would include Lux in order to get Arenado. and if he got his wish to be dealt to the Dodgers , I am guessing he would wave his opt out clause after 2021 especially if the he and Dodgers have a successful October. And as you know Jesse, I am 100% on board with your take on Dodgers needing an impact RHB. Some people on various blogs do not see that but it’s obvious where the hole in this offense is.
Dodgers would be lucky if Lux becomes half the player Arenado is. Trade Lux if needed.
Arenado is a proved mlb player so it’s well worth trading a top prospect. With that being said and a team control for 7 years, trade Lux, Gosolin, Ruiz and Joc
Enough speculation and wishes. Note to Dodger execs: GO GET ARENADO…Period!
The Rockies will trade Arenado now, or late this season. Rockies are so frustrating to follow and they will shout and jump about how “WE HAVE A HALL OF FAMER!”. I never expected them to pay Arenado this whole contract; and with a looming shutdown on the horizon of 2021 or 2022,a opportunity to save millions and millions of dollars…
Muncy, Ruiz, Gonsolin, Rios, Santana.
Then sign Betts in 2021 and bring Bellinger back to 1B.
Extend Seager.Pederson
Turner plays 1B in 2020
2021 Starters
C Smith
1B Bellinger
2B Lux
3B Arenado
SS Seager
LF Pederson
CF Verdugo
RF Betts
I like Arenado, and he would be a terrific addition to Dodgers, but over the last two seasons Muncy has proven to be one of the top 10 run producers in all of MLB; better than Bellinger, Arenado, Bryant, Acuna Jr., etc. Seager is represented by Scott Boras, so I think the odds of signing him to an extension before free agency may be low.
No way you lose Muncy. Dollars vs production, he may be the Dodgers best value.
Not sure if the numbers line up, but Kershaw, Seager and Justin Turner.
Worst thing to do is bid against yourself. Rockies can’t get a better package o than Pederson OR Verdugo, Kiké OR Taylor, Stripling and/or Dennis Santana, & a couple from Kelbert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Jeter Downs, Edwin Rios, Mitchell White, Jacob Amaya, or DJ Peters.
No Lux, May or Gonsolin
A package of Verdugo, Taylor, Josiah Gray, Jeter Downs, and Edwin Rios would be a good deal for Rockies
I would offer Ruiz;, Maeda, Seaver and Joc
Rockies get a catcher of the future, and three vets Seager replaces Arenado at 3rd A Vet pitcher o who had success I. Colorado and Joc who crushes in Colorado th3 only kicker they have to tak on pollock for that package
We have Arenado, Lux will be a beast at SS, Muncy at 2b for just this year while Turner finishes his contract out at first then after that we are loaded at 2b talen in the minor league
We go out and get Catellano for Left we are young and strong for next few years
I don’t believe that package of players will get Arenado. Seager will be eligible for free agency after 2021 (same as Arenado if he opts out of his contract), Maeda is a no. 4, or 5 starting pitcher, and Joc will be eligible for free agency after 2020.
Does Arenado’s road and home splits concern anybody?
Home, .351 BA, .412 OBP, 1.057 OPS
Away, .277 BA, .346 OPB, .867 OPS
No doubt Arenado would be nice, but to give away the farm and future flexibility for the right to pay $207M to Arenado for his age 29 through 34 seasons doesn’t make sense to me.
The teams that currently have Lindor, Betts and Arenado have one thing in common, financial difficulties. Dodgers currently have money, prospects and tradeable excess MLB talent. That means flexability and options.
Maybe I’m the only one, in spite of Dodger batting woes in the post-season, I want another ACE and a young cheap one at that. FIRST and FOREMOST. That is the only thing I give up that flexibility for.
Looking at the post-season batting statistics of Arenado and Betts isn’t all that impressive.
Yes, home and road splits are concerning; and the .277 / .346 / .867 from 2019 was better than his career splits. So that must be considered in who Dodgers would trade. My guess, Arenado has grooved his swing for Coors Field and if / when traded will adjust his mechanics and approach. If he could consistently put up the same slash line as his 2019 road numbers plus his Gold Glove defense, he would be worth a significant package of players.
“If he could consistently put up the same slash line as his 2019 road numbers plus his Gold Glove defense, he would be worth a significant package of players”.
I guess that is the $207M question? My guess is, he will be good and maybe he can slash at the same rate, even as he ages.
But is he the best use of our money, valuable prospects and our excess MLB talent? And if he is, how can we get the best purchase price? I thought the goal was to win a World Championship. We all agree the division title is probably already in the bag. Albeit a small sample, Arenado’s post-season stats:
BA: .190, OBP: .174, OPS: .507 Not a difference maker!
Just saying, I’d rather use that significant package of prospects/players for an ACE, preferably young and cheap.
Jesse, Arenado would adjust and he would find a 162 game season playing half his games at DS instead of in Coors to be somewhat less taxing on his body, instead of with having to play half of his games in that thin high altitude air. And one other thing here, opponents, especially in the last few years have shown all of us that hitting at Dodger Stadium is not as difficult as many in media seem to still believe. Small sample…the Nats hitting 3 HR’s at DS in the final 2 innings of game 5 in the 2019 NLDS.
No concern. Someone pointed out his low stats at Dodger Stadium, but failed to point out that it’s more likely because he was hitting against lights-out Dodgers pitchers.
I would trade any prospect except May.
I would trade any pro except Belli, Beuhler, Muncy and Kersh
Are you seriously stating that the man whom our Dodgers built their identity around should be replaced. We have witnessed the fracturous effect of overpriced talent, yeah I’m looking at you Machado, has on a great team. I see a 3x world champ team without the clearly league sanctioned cheating of the teams who’s name should never be said aloud again.
If the Rockies want a top catching prospect and roster help now I’d offer Ruiz and Maeda. Maeda is signed through 2023 and has a career record of 5-2 with a save and a 3.86 ERA at Coors Field. A swingman that can put up a 1.8 WAR in a year that had a couple of rough patches is a lot of “help now” for a team that had three pitchers put up a better WAR in 2019. Maeda could become a very effective set up man for the Rockies. If the Rockies buyout Arenado’s opt out I’d also send Joc or Kike if I didn’t plan to offer them a free agent deal next year.