Rockies GM Jeff Bridich largely declined an opportunity to discuss the state of the team’s contract talks with star third baseman Nolan Arenado, as MLB.com’s Thomas Harding writes. Bridich says the club is content to “keep things under wraps, under our hat for now” as it continues to try to work out a 2019 salary — and, perhaps, a long-term deal — with the club’s top player. The general manager did say that the Rox will not “set any deadlines or ultimatums,” though that comment may relate more to the still-unresolved arbitration case than extension talks. Arenado and the team still need to bridge a $6MM gap to stave off a hearing, as he filed at $30MM against the team’s $24MM submission. It’s still anyone’s guess whether there’ll be any real traction in discussions on a lengthier accord, but it’ll unquestionably cost a pretty penny to get the 27-year-old to forego a chance at testing the open market next winter.
Here’s more out of Denver and the NL West…
- Also from Harding’s piece, Bridich stated that the Rockies “haven’t been overly aggressive” in the outfield market. Fans hoping for a reunion with Matt Holliday will be disheartened to see that the GM characterized the franchise icon as a tougher fit on the current roster than he was when he was signed late in the 2018 season and enjoyed a brief comeback tour. Presently, Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl look like locks for regular outfield work. Ian Desmond, Raimel Tapia and Noel Cuevas will also slot in around the outfield, though Cuevas has options remaining, so it seems conceivable that the Rox could make a move if a palatable bargain presents itself.
- There are “indications” that the Diamondbacks plan to utilize newly signed Wilmer Flores as their second baseman in 2019, writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Doing so would allow them to shift Ketel Marte to the outfield as their new primary center fielder. It’d be an unfamiliar position for Marte, but the move is something that’s been discussed for some time now. (The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan noted as much all the way back in October). As Piecoro notes, the D-backs’ defensive alignment figures to look quite a bit different; Jake Lamb is slated to move across the diamond to first base following the trade of Paul Goldschmidt, with Eduardo Escobar slotting in as the primary third baseman. Nick Ahmed (shortstop), Flores (second base) and Marte (center field) could line up on the middle of the diamond, with David Peralta and Steven Souza Jr. flanking Marte in center.
- The Giants may use the “opener” strategy at times in 2019 but won’t be among the league’s most aggressive teams with it, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Madison Bumgarner, Derek Holland and Jeff Samardzija will all be treated as traditional starters, though Schulman notes that president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi has recently expressed a desire to manage the workloads of younger arms like Dereck Rodriguez and Andrew Suarez “for their future and for ours.” Schulman’s column explores multiple avenues to achieving that goal and features multiple quotes from Zaidi and skipper Bruce Bochy on the pitching staff that Giants fans will surely want to check out in full. Schulman also reiterates that it’s still possible the Giants could explore trades of either Will Smith or Tony Watson as they seek additional rotation and outfield options. Both lefty relievers can become free agents next offseason.
ronnsnow
I kinda like the look of the D’Backs, though they need an upgrade over Souza. Markakis seems like a perfect fit.
Lets Go DBacks
Everyone wants an upgrade over Souza, but he has no trade value so I do not see the DBacks sign an expensive RF. And with “expensive” I mean what Kendrick & co. consider expensive.
sidewinder11
Souza should be a good bounce back candidate this year. He raked in Tampa 2 years ago so there’s plenty of potential.
Wolf Hoffmann
What do you like about them? I think their line-up is poor.
SanDiegoTom
I’d love to see the padres take a shot at signing Arenado if he reaches free agency. They certainly have the money to spend.
xXabial
His value is with CO only
ffjsisk
Lol
petrie000
Would your head explode if you found out that most players are significantly worse on the road?
Arenado’s overall road numbers are actually quite respectable, it’s not the stark difference you see with a lot of other Colorado players
SanDiegoTom
I disagree, dragqueen. His glove to go along with tatis jr and urias up the middle would be something I’d pay to go to see. Puts Moore butts in the seats, imo.
BrewCrew1302
hes a Colorado player. Does not have the same numbers outside of Coors field and playoffs hes non existent.
Padres458
His splits really aren’t that bad.
callingoutdummies247
Just under 60 points in BA and 30 HR isn’t that bad? I’d hate to see your definition of bad…
petrie000
Given just how grossly inflated Coors Field numbers are, no, it’s really not that bad. If you wanna see ridiculous, compare that drop off to prime CarGo.
Jean Matrac
You’re putting way too much stock in Home/Road splits. There are too many small samples illustrated by his poor numbers in hitter’s parks like Citizen’s Park, Camden Yards, and Fenway. Look at what he hits in pitcher’s parks like in KC: .389/.476/.778. 1.254 OPS, or in SF: 280/.336/.525, .861 OPS. And the most ABs he has away from home are in SF.
mattbiks
.320 hitter at Coors
.263 htter away from Coors
Michael Neubert
His stadium neutralized stats are CAREER .271/.325/.501 NON Neut .291/.346/.539
SO no he isn’t that much worse on the road… ON TOP OF THAT, HE HAS NEVER LOST A GOLD GLOVE. No other player can say that.
rtrgobraves
This is not true at all. Any part of it. Please delete your account and move along.
Michael Neubert
EXCEPT IT IS
baseball-reference.com/players/a/arenano01-bat.sht…
GET BENT lol
MeowMeow
Per baseball-reference, Arenado is 14% better than the league average batter on the road.
Source: baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=arena…
therealryan
Shouldn’t the Padres go after Machado then? They’re similar players and will have similar contract demands. Both players will be looking for AAV in the $30-35mm range and you can get Machado for his age 26-35 seasons or Arenado for his age 29-35 seasons. If you have to pay for the back end of their careers either way, why not sign the player that also gets you his prime years in Machado.
stubby66
Maybe the Brewers could trade Thames and Anderson for Smith and a couple low end minor league players
BrewCrew1302
Thames and Anderson need to go.
talking baseball
Who in the hell wants those two,
NOT THE GIANTS !!
gmenfan
That “gold for trash” trade bin is getting mighty full.
coldbeer
How much of a “lock” can Dahl be in the outfield with all of 500 PAs in MLB over 3 seasons of his career?!
Steve Adams
I didn’t imply that he’s a lock to produce, but he is a lock to receive regular playing time early in the season. That’s health-permitting, of course, but that’s true of every player.
coldbeer
Health permitting is especially true in the case of Dahl. One could surmise that due to such a question mark based on his injury history that the outfield is somewhere the Rox have been or will be aggressive in improving. Especially with Desmond in CF. 1/3 is not a good start and, sorry, but lol @ Matt Holliday as an answer (which was somewhat clear he is not…yet).
Lets Go DBacks
Wilmer Flores is a nice signing but if that means Marte will shift to CF I am not too thrilled, it might affect his offensive production. I still think we would need another CF, but we are running out of options. Perhaps we can sign AJ back for a year.
DarkSide830
id think Flores at 1B would be a better fit.
DarkSide830
(Couldn’t edit my comment, but wanted to add thats only if Cron doesnt make the roster)
Lets Go DBacks
Yeah, but it looks like Lamb/Walker will platoon there. Cron might get a call up at some time.
zachgwest
How can all these players shift to OF to play but OF can not shift to the INF? Why even draft a OF just draft INF bc you get both
Lets Go DBacks
I think that is what everyone wonders right now: does Marte know how to play CF? Nobody knows.
mj-2
Newcomb for Dahl
Who walks away first?
Jacob Sizemore
Atlanta says no.
Jacob Sizemore
But it is a good proposal. Just don’t see Atlanta pulling the trigger.
harmoney101575
dahl isnt worth more than a minor leaguer
mj-2
Exactly! And I wouldn’t trade Newcomb for less than Mike Trout!!!
Go Braves!
User 2997803866
Yikes. Newcomb really isn’t that good and Dahl is stud. Braves have a surplus of pitching and could use another young, controllable bat. Yikes to blind ATL fans.
mj-2
Harmony is a homer who thinks everyone the Braves own is God so I’m mocking him
DarkSide830
neither because the proposal is too unrealistic to happen, despite Atlanta’s boom of pitchers and need of an OF.
leftcoaster
If the Rockies would give Tapia a month as a starter he end up being a lock in their lineup for years.
DarkSide830
I dont see why the Rox jave been so sheepish on Tapia. The guy has the potential to be a great leadoff hitter.
Colorado Springs
Maybe because he has done nothing at the major league level to inspire confidence. He plays like a hysterical jack-rabbit. Just because he has the tools doesn’t mean he has the maturity to play full time. In my view, he needs to spend more time somewhere else.
zachgwest
How can he get $30 million under arbitration? Arbitration should top out at the same as the qualifying offer $17.9. No way smaller market teams could hold on too a player like this all the way through his contract.
antibelt
With revenue sharing, there isn’t a team out there that should be under 100 million.
petrie000
No, arbitration should not be capped. The players already been criminally underpaid for 5 seasons, if he’s one of the the ten best players in the league, he should be paid like it.
zachgwest
Criminally over paid? Lol even at the league minimum he’s making more than 90% of Americans. I’m just saying gaps are starting to get wider teams are folding before the year even starts.
petrie000
Yes, compared to his actual value to his employer. Save the dime store moralizing, when your worth tens of millions of dollars to your bosses, then we’ll see how much you care about what the rest of the country makes.
The gap is increasingly artificial anyway. Every team could afford a 100 million dollar payroll if the wanted to win, most just prefer to make a ridiculous amount of money instead.
Cam
I think you’re getting confused about the drive behind “tanking”, or entering a season not expecting to win. It’s not because of a widening salary gap, at all.
zachgwest
Raise the minimum. A player that makes $555k compared to one who makes $30 million is to much of a gap. That’s all.
petrie000
A player like Arenado is frankly worth that much more. You show up for players of his caliber, not for the utility guy who replaces him in the 8th innings of a blowout.
The players at the bottom of the spectrum are indeed getting hosed… But not by other players.
Cam
Smaller market teams absolutely can afford it – owners just choose to deploy their money elsewhere. Besides, Arenado’s arb case is very, very unique – not many players of that calibre end up in that spot.
Remember, this is the same team that found $70million for Ian Desmond..
Padres2019ha
How can you have NL west notes and no Padres interested in “blank” player mention. Weird
terror661
Word
Jean Matrac
Because there’s nothing new to report about the Padres. As a Giant’s fan I’ve seen NL West Notes without a mention of them. It Happens. It’s not a snub.
Padres2019ha
To make a funny
RedRooster
Except it wasn’t.
Pedro13365
Mets send Thor and Frazier to Rockies for Arenado and Marquez. Who hangs up first?
national pastime
Rockies hang up. Frazier is useless now.
DarkSide830
that is incredibly ridiculous. why trade a great 3B and a younger, more controllable, less injury-prone arm for Frazier and Thor?
petrie000
The Rockies, because they probably want long term value for when they have to rebuild once Arenado leaves.
minoso9
Utterly ridiculous proposal from Rockies view Pedro. Get real.
terror661
Nice to see a GM who isn’t Bobby Evans.
Bernie's Dander
Why would the Rockies even try with Arenado? He’s got Boras as an agent and he’s 1 year from free agency. Unless they give him a Stanton-type contract he’s going to test the open market.
petrie000
Because it’s all up to Arenado about whether he wants to leave or not? What do they lose from giving him the opportunity to stay?
Cardinals17
Arenado was on the Cardinals radar a while back. Arenado will suffer on the open market with second guessers because of the Rockies low air. Hitting in that park for 81 games is a lot different than anywhere else.
Cardinals17
P. S. However, I’d love to see Arenado in a Cardinal uniform!
Freddie Morales
I would love to see the Mets trade for Tony Watson! Lagares for Watson is a pretty fair deal
BLB25
It might be fair in terms of value but I dont see that being a deal the Giants would be very interested in. The outfield spot they’re probably the most comfortable with right now is CF with Duggar who projects to be very similar to Lagares, just younger and cheaper. I expect they’ll be looking for more productive offensive players than Lagares in any Watson or Smith deal and if they look for a centerfielder at all it will be a clear upgrade over Duggar in a much bigger trade or a backup and possible platoon partner for him that won’t cost them one of their best current trade assets.
DTD
An injury prone, defense only OF for a very useful relief pitcher…so fair
minoso9
I’m not a fan of GM Bridich. Last off-season he spent a big bundle of bucks for a group of aging over the hill relievers with long term contracts. I can only hope this foursome improves this year. The preceding year he signed Desmond to a huge contract with mediocre results. Bridich is very tight lipped and is just an up-tight dude. I have tried talking to him about baseball to no avail. But hey Jeff it’s your show and good luck.
Luke1358
If Arenado is being this money centered in arbitration I think it’s time we look at a trade. Though I feel his value will peak around the trade deadline at this point, especially if someone like the Yankees has an injury or two. Nolan for Andujar and a couple prospects may not be a bad exchange for the Rockies, especially if Andujar can be moved to 1B as Brenden Rogers moves up to the show.
YourDaddy
I would LOVE for the Yankees to pick up Arenado and some prospects for Andujar. The Rockies won’t get Andujar and prospects for 2+ months of any player, even Arenado. Not after that monster year with the bat as a rookie.
I am not so sure that Rockies fans would like seeing Andujar butcher play after play at 3B. After years of one of the best 3B, to go to the very worst would be a jarring experience.
Andujar would rake in Coors, but his WAR would still be low because his defense is so bad.
YourDaddy
Diamondbacks are moving 5 players to new positions. The defense should be a train wreck in 2019. Last place here they come.
Ryan W
Next year is going to be a weak NL west. Kershaw in decline. Dodgers will still be good but not as good. Rockies probably lose Arenado. Giants have made stupid financial decisions and paying for it. Diamondbacks just started rebuilding.
Padres need to follow the Cubs route and get high level prospects that are about ready to play in the show. Like Senzel for 3B. Tatis at SS, Urias at 2B. Mejia/Hedges at C. Still have good bat potential in the outfield but one should be traded. And sign a front-line starter and trade/sign for another one.
harmoney101575
if not the Red Sox… Who signs Kimbrel?
twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/108601201950815436…
Michael Neubert
His stadium neutralized stats are CAREER .271/.325/.501 NON Neut .291/.346/.539
SO no he isn’t that much worse on the road… ON TOP OF THAT, HE HAS NEVER LOST A GOLD GLOVE. No other player can say that.
jim stem
Flores got a bad wrap for his defense in NY. He came up as a shortstop but didn’t have great range. The Mets moved him all around the infield which, in my opinion, messed up his throwing mechanics. Most of his errors are on throws on the move when he doesn’t get his footwork right or doesn’t lead the pitcher correctly. Personally, I have been freamong of this kid getting 600 at bats and allowed to settle in to 2b for three years. Pencil in 27/85/.275 and enjoy his clutch hitting. He can take outside pitches to right field, mash curve balls and turn on a fastball. He struggle with sliders low and away, just like any other righty. Rockies fans will love this kid. I hope he finally gets his chance. League average, consistent defense, great head on his shoulders, great team player, never complains and never does or says the wrong thing. He’s ready to play every day.
jim stem
My apologies. Arizona fans will love Flores. (Wish there was an ‘edit post’ option)
Grebek7
Wish the ChiSox would save their schuckles for Arenado next year forget about giving Machado max money. Hopefully they can land Watson or Smith to solidify the bullpen
BobbyJohn
If the Rockies cannot extend Arenado, then they need to trade him before Spring Training.
But they really need to package Desmond with a viable prospect to move that ugly contract off the books and free up the funds to extend Nolan.
Failing that, I am sure they could get a very nice package for a full season of the best 3B in MLB.
RedRooster
Why would they trade their best player when they are trying to contend? Regardless of whether or not he is a pending FA.
Cardinals17
Earlier in the off season, the Cardinals were trying to deal for Wilson even after they obtained Miller.