There have been plenty of recent trade rumors centering on Rockies superstar Nolan Arenado, but the saga took a particularly interesting turn Monday. Shortly after general manager Jeff Bridich indicated the Rockies don’t plan to part with Arenado prior to the season, the third baseman made it known that he’s displeased with the organization.
Arenado revealed that he feels the Rockies have “disrespected” him, but not because the team has listened to offers for him. He noted he’s “not mad at trade rumors. There’s more to it than that.” However, Arenado didn’t go into detail on how the Rockies have damaged the two sides’ union.
It turns out the Rockies’ offseason inactivity has been the immediate source of the newfound friction, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. And it appears. the star third baseman has particular ire for the organization’s general manager. He told Troy Renck of Denver7 last night that Bridich specifically “is very disrespectful.”
Check out today’s Trade Rumors video, where Jeff Todd discusses Arenado and much more:
The Rockies, then coming off a playoff berth, locked up Arenado to a seven-year, $234MM contract extension prior to last season. The team struggled immensely in 2019, though, and it hasn’t done anything since then to improve its chances of bouncing back this year. Owner Dick Monfort suggested after last season that the Rockies would not further expand payroll and indeed they haven’t signed any free agents to major league contracts this offseason. That inactivity doesn’t sit well with Arenado, who had received assurances that the organization would keep working to put out a contender, Nick Groke of The Athletic writes (subscription link). Arenado and Monfort even had an in-person meeting sometime this offseason, but that sitdown wasn’t able to quell the former’s growing discontent with the franchise. The Rockies, for their part, indicated to Passan that they are “puzzled” over Arenado’s stance so soon after he signed his long-term deal.
Despite what Bridich said Monday, it still seems possible that an Arenado trade will come together – if his relationship with the team has become irreparably damaged. As those who have followed the rumors know, though, there are complicating factors that have stood in the way of a swap and could continue to prevent one. Not only does Arenado’s pact include a whopping amount of cash, including $35MM in 2020, but it also features full no-trade rights and an opt-out decision after 2021. The latter issue probably hasn’t done his trade value any favors, but as Passan notes, the Rockies have still held out for a huge return for their franchise player. They were “exchanging proposals with teams” as recently as this past weekend, but an agreement hasn’t come close to materializing.
In yet another intriguing aspect of this story, the Cubs are among the clubs that have shown some level of interest in Arenado this winter, Passan relays. The Cubs, like the Rockies, have been hesitant to spend this offseason, so it would be a shock to see them add Arenado (and it’s unclear just how interested they’ve been in doing so). They also already have an elite-caliber third base option in Kris Bryant, who has joined Arenado in the rumor mill of late. It’s unclear where either player will open the 2020 season, but Arenado’s situation in particular has become increasingly fascinating as spring training approaches.
Down with OBP
He seems credible.
larry48
The riff is the Rockies won’t trade him to the Dodgers and Arenado will only approve a trade to the Dodgers. Arenado will opt-out after 2021 and sign somewhere else probably with the Dodgers. The Rockies are such a poorly run franchises/ team with so many untradeable contracts.
22Leo
It’s a riffitude, judge!
qbert1996
So you know Arenado personally to say he’d only approve a trade to the Dodgers? Whatever bud, Arenado has said it himself that he wants to win games and not rebuild, the Dodgers aren’t the only te he’d go to
Mikel Grady
Qbert1996 you have to say it in Stephen a smith voice, I know this man I’ve had dinner at his home .
skyyalpha
C’mooon, maaan!
Luke1358
Dodger fans “it’s not fair other teams took our signs from us” also Dodger fans “but all the talent from other teams there’s nothing wrong with that”…..this is why the Dodgers are cancer to baseball.
JustCheckingIn
Gtfo
We built a powerhouse after 15 years of McCourts, dodger fans have every right to feel slighted
We’re not the cancer. We’re the one the cancer killed our chances multiple times
22Leo
You are a complete idiot, Luke.
DrDan75
I highly doubt that Arenado is going to be traded within the division.
JustCheckingIn
It’d have to be a lux+ a lot overpay
Of Arenado says im walking in 2021 and will only approve a deal to LA
Disrespect isnt always easy to fix
gidez1
Dodgers should offer Gonslin, Ruiz and Striplin for him!
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Starts with Lux. No way dodgers trade Arrenado within the division without a kings ransom that dodgers would never pay.
Lux Gonslin Ruiz plus back end guys like Edwin Rios and Christian Santana.
Geebs
lol ya because the Rockies would have plenty of suitors for a 234 mil contract that they could make that kind of demand.
DarkGhost
You’re not getting the point. The offer would have to be that massive for the Rockies to trade him in their division especially to the dodgers who is the perennial contender of the division. The price for an out of division team will be less than any team in the NL west especially the dodgers.
deweybelongsinthehall
This is not a Red Sox situation where the team is desperately trying to reset the tax. Colorado just agreed to the deal so either they don’t need financial relief to force a non-reasonable return or they “knew” he’d opt out after 21. Neither seem true except the team likely now realizes it only makes sense for them to make such a commitment when they are ready to win, which is not presently the case. Very hard to go from mediocre to WS contender with the same team unless injuries killed the prior year.
hiflew
So by your logic, if the Angels offer Mike Trout and his huge deal, the Yankees should be able to get him for a low top 30 prospect and low A lotto ticket prospect because they can afford the contract.
steelerbravenation
How much salary does the Red Sox need to to move in order to reset the tax ?
larry48
Remember that Arenado has a full no trade clause so he decides where he will be traded to. Also if the Rockies don’t trade Arenado he will opt our after next season and the Rockies get nothing except a draft pick.
PipptyPoppitygivemetheZoppity
Funny.
chesteraarthur
Trout > Arenado…thought this was pretty well understood
JustCheckingIn
Lmfao
No they just have a 230M player who can leave after next year for nothing and pissed at the teams direction
Nothing forcing their hand
rangerslegend34107
That depends on his contract. Some of the opt outs written in player’s contracts these days say the team is not allowed to offer him a qualifying offer. If his contract is written as such, the Rockies will get nothing if he opts out except a middle finger.
fox471 Dave
If the Rockies get “some” good prospects they will trade him.
deweybelongsinthehall
Back on 01/12, it was reported that their projected number was $237.89M and they need to get to below $208M so it appears it’s still $30M.
bush1
By your logic the Yankees could trade Cole at the deadline for a haul. What a player makes is 100% relevant to their value in trades. If a guy makes a ton of money of course that’s going to effect their trade value. Otherwise why wouldn’t a team have offered Cole $400 million and sign all the contract expensive deals?
JustCheckingIn
Holy lord great job moving the goal posts with a crap analogy
Realistically the Rockies aren’t getting fair value in a trade. Period. If they trade him, it’s because Arenado is so pissed he’s gone in 2021 and won’t go anywhere else
They can ask for a kings ransom.. but they don’t have many chips with a FNTC and opt out they insisted on
fox471 Dave
What a silly comment.
spyderxxx1
The Rockies are in a horrible spot. Dodgers don’t do have to give up much and know they even have to give up less. Lux wouldn’t have to be in any trade at this point.
dodgsteellakers
All for that plus Pollock and or joc
fox471 Dave
Who is Gonslin? Who is Striplin?
baumann
I think Gonslin is the guy who played Tony Soprano.
JustCheckingIn
When he signed his deal, it was supposed to be “the Rockies becoming more serious about competing”.. that was why Arenado agreed to stay. To compete.
And after 3 bad reliever signings, they aren’t improving a 70 win team.. why wouldn’t he feel lied to?
User 4245925809
The relievers, Blackmon making 21m every year. How much can ownership afford to pay each year is the question. It seems like they could with a decent market and thought they had a decent local tv deal, or thought remembered reading 1 time they did, but bean counters always have final say.
fox471 Dave
He agreed to stay for $234 million! Agreed to stay. Geez!
Cincyfan85
Sounds kinda like a bunch of NBA bologna if you ask me. Sign a deal then whine until you get traded.
Vandals Took The Handles
Or the NFL.
deweybelongsinthehall
Sadly, just many of the athletes of today.
JustCheckingIn
But it’s cool for owners to lie to players so they sign a deal and then not go thru with their promises
RunDMC
If there was ever any intent there, they wouldn’t have agreed to a full NTC.
fox471 Dave
Here we go.
maximumvelocity
They aren’t slaves.
Players have every right to express displeasure with working conditions.
The team promised it would do one thing, then failed to live up to that promise after signing him.
You act as if because people make a lot of money, they should sit back and accept B.S. That’s not joe it works today, and should never work that way in any business.
larry48
The Rockies gave Arenado a full no-trade clause, so Arenado can demand a trade to any team he wants. If he is traded it will be Arenado choice where hi is traded to not the Rockies. This will be a pr nightmare for the Rockies, they complain that no free agent will want to come to the Rockies, The Rockies won’t be able to get there own free agent to resign when the face of the franchise is treated so bad and lied to.
Dotnet22
You’re right. They’re not slaves. They get paid exorbitant amounts of money to play a game.
infractor
Which, I’m going to guess, you watch and therefore support. If you actually want to “make a point” then stop watching.
chesteraarthur
You’re right, he’s not a slave. He’s free to quit and give back the money.
But he won’t because he likes his job working for a mlb team and the money it gives him.
robluca21
The players union probably wouldn’t allow him to hand the money back
Darryl Rose
He is allowed to express an opinion regardless of his salary. He has been a stand up guy his whole career.
bigdaddyhacks
Go ahead and try that at work tomorrow and let us know how it goes. He’s a salaried employee. Why these millennial athletes get the idea that they can whine like their on the “blue” team in gym and want to be on the other AFTER they’ve accepted 1/4 of a billion dollars is beyond me.
He’s a coors field product anyway, outside of there is a barely above league average.
fudd5150
He’s making 35 million correct? If they ask him to clean the gutters he better oblige. That’s an assload of money. More than a dozen or more us will make in a lifetime. So I could care less what he is “displeased “ with.
JustCheckingIn
He contigently ageeed to stay and then the owner is changing the contingent
In a real life scenario, that’s breach of terms of a contract By the Rockies
They’re the ones you should be complaining about
Brewers39
You’re right. It shouldn’t work that way in any business.
However, that is exactly how it works in most businesses.
jkurk_22
You have no idea what kind of discussions he had with the team before he agreed to sign that deal. It sounds likely they promised him they would be all in to win and now they obviously aren’t keeping their end. So yeah he’s pissed. Yeah, he signed the deal, but his beef is legit
fudd5150
So? He’s making 35 million a year to play baseball. Not do a twice daily donkey show in Tijuana.
JustCheckingIn
If they didn’t lie to him he’d have left. It’s not that hard
fudd5150
Yeah it is real simple. ITS THE ROCKIES. I’m not the smartest guy on earth but common sense would dictate that they aren’t a big market spender. And paying him 30+million isn’t going to exactly free up money to sign others. He’s a spoiled brat who should be thanking his lucky stars he’s getting paid that much and stop complaining.
Fuck Me Bitch
Career on the road .OPS of 799. OPS.
Makes $33.5 million a year.
Who are the Rockies going to trade him to?
(If he made less perhaps the team would have more to spend. This smells of something not yet said.)
RedSox4Life4ever
The last few years his road OPS has been in the .850 range.
Geebs
You don’t really believe that 1 cherry picked stat quantifies his abilities do you?
Le Grande Orangerie
How’s this? Career OPS+ of 122. Good, but nowhere near $234M. And it gets worse. Opt-out after 2021 means there’s not even a nominal upside to the contract. He’s not going to be traded until the Rockies agree to eat a lot of that one if they ever do.
hiflew
You do realize he plays the best defense in the league and it is not all about OPS with him, don’t you? He has played in the league 7 years and won 7 Gold Gloves. Unless you want to go back in time and trade for Brooks Robinson in 1967, I don’t think you are going to find a better defender.
ChapmansVacuum
Matt Chapmans no longer second fiddle like he was to Arenado in high school. He will challenge him as best defender at 3B or in MLB. I believe he is leading in DRS since he debut.
JustCheckingIn
This doesn’t take away that an incredible amount of his value comes on the defensive side of the ball, which Arenado ops quoters love to happily ignore
Darryl Rose
Exactly. Players spend half the game playing defense and 80% of fans ignore the defensive contribution.
Arenado may well be the greatest fielding third baseman ever and having watched Brooks Robinson I never thought I would say that.
He has Schmidt offense and Robinson defense. When his career ends he may be seen as the greatest third baseman in history.
bush1
Chapman has proven to be better than Arenado on defense every year. He beats him in WAR every yr by a good margin too.
its_happening
Buyer’s remorse.
larry48
Only big markets Yankees, Dodgers,, Cubs and Mets. Then who has the payroll to take on 234 million dollars?
msqboxer
Dark horse would be the White Sox…
bigcheesegrilledontoast
Yep, a trade is imminent. He’s shown his hand.
troll_smasher
You mean after the Rockies showed theirs with the inactivity this offseason?
thunderbolt
The Rockies should have gotten rid of that idiot Bridich after the horrific Wade Davis deal. Most incompetent GM in baseball.
bush1
The Desmond signing was worse. They have up the 11th pick in the draft (the highest eligible pick to be given) for a free agent. Just so dumb..
BobbyJohn
The Ian Desmond Contract led directly to the follow things:
Ryan McMahon was moved from 1B to 2B (since he was “blocked” by Desmond), and DJ LeMahieu was deemed expendable because of that position change.
When Desmond was not cutting it at 1B offensively, he was shifted back to CF, making Mike Tauchman expendable despite him never really being given a legit shot at the MLB level.
Then, instead of moving McMahon back to 1B and retaining DJ, Bridich signed Daniel Murphy (for essentially the same money the Yankees gave DJ).
Stack all of the bad reliever contracts on top of that, and Ottovino wound up leaving as well.
Essentially, they could have retained by DJ and Otto for what Desmond signed for, and McMahon could have been allowed to develop at 1B, and Tauchman would have been roaming around CF.
Just an incredible series of mis-steps, all starting with the Desmond signing.
bush1
And they lost the 11th pick in the draft to sign him. The highest pick ever lost to sign a FA.
bigcheesegrilledontoast
@troll_smasher …. what’s the Rockies opening day payroll prediction? A record? Maybe there’s no money left to spend especially after the poor free agent signings of last offseason. And who willingly would want to pitch there unless overpaid.
JustCheckingIn
Then don’t promise your star player there’s more money coming… then be shocked said star player feels slighted owners+ GM lies to him
Vandals Took The Handles
Again……
What MLB team can take on an additional $35m for its payroll in 2020 with ST a month away? Most contending teams now have a fund of $10-15m left in their budget for in-season trades when they find out what weaknesses they have that need to be shored up due to injuries or players having poor seasons.
Add in that while the Rockies FO/ownership seems to have issues, Mr. Arenado had been with the organization for 10 years when he signed a 7 year-contract a year ago. It’s not as if he walked into a situation he knew nothing about. Now he’s blasting the organization publicly. This does not make him terribly attractive to the FO/ownership of most quality franchises.
As for the Rockies FO/ownership – if they expect a haul coming back…..forget it. A team can sign a like free agent at that AAV at the cost of a non-1st round draft choice. Now they’re supposed to send over a package of multiple quality prospects that they’ve paid bonuses to and have played well in the minors thus far, as well as an established major leaguer or two? Their taking on the contract should be the primary cost.
Both the Rockies FO/ownership and Arenado/his agent(s) messed up here. Both best get realistic as to working on a solution – meaning both best be prepared to make some compromises. Starting with the Rockies FO/ownership realizing they’re not going to get an eye-popping haul back in trade; and Arenado/his agent(s) giving up the some combination of the 2021 opt-out, the non-trade clause, and/or agreeing to shorten the length of the contract to be more attractive to a prospective buyer.
ChapmansVacuum
Cant shorten deals Tex tried years ago with Arod to Bos, but MLBPA wont allow contracts to be shortened. Outside of Cespedes who I believe was in violation of one of his contract clauses so it was better then risking voiding the deal.
Motionowns
Sure except when trying to land elite talent,or a superstar you have other teams in contention, having money to spend doesn’t insure you have the most to spend or that said player will want to sign with your team. Should be a high aquisition cost involved just to get a hold of the ink on the contract.. arenados opt out makes it unclear how much value the contract actually has though.
Motionowns
Sure except when trying to land elite talent,or a superstar you have other teams in contention, having money to spend doesn’t insure you have the most to spend or that said player will want to sign with your team. Should be a high aquisition cost involved just to get a hold of the ink on the contract.. arenados opt out makes it unclear how much value the contract actually has though.
Ducey
The Jays could take in his salary. They are well under their max spending level.
The fact that there is an opt out and they are trying Vlady there means it does not make sense for them though.
its_happening
Having Vlad DH and play corners isn’t the worst idea. Jays should consider Arenado and one of their expensive bullpen arms to soften the blow to their system.
Begamin
guess you can say they got a Rockie relationship…
thank you for coming out tonight you all were a great audience
braves4life1
Braves, offer Waters, Inciarte, Bryce Wilson, & Touki Toussaint. Only if Arenado waives his Opt-Out. Waters is a must in the deal but now is shouldn’t take our #1 pitching prospect in Anderson with Arenado disgruntled. Go get Arenado & sign Ozuna
stymeedone
Cubs offer Bryant. Each has a two year expectation before leaving. This would be perfect except cubbies are in the same nonspend mode, so he’d refuse the trade.
Bubba Don
My respect for Arenado has gone done. So he has been with organization for 10 years and they give him one of the largest guaranteed contracts in history and he comes out in public with this petty BS ? Maybe Colorado’s flexibility to make a lot off season moves is because he tied up all their money ?
22Leo
He didn’t tie up their money. If their money is tied up, it’s the organization that chose to tie it up. It’s not like he put a gun to their heads and forced them to offer that contract.
maximumvelocity
Going back on a promise to be competitive is not petty.
He wants to win. That used to be an admirable quality.
infractor
If the team “tied up” all their money while promising to build on the roster to win then they’d be at fault still. They know their payroll and plan around it. How does “the team hamstrung themselves and were too daft to realize” help the cause?
Motionowns
They screwed up royaly with the contract, and he’s holding all the cards. Winner’s wanna win, and if played at Coors and people kept crying about my home and road splits, while not having a shot at a world series I’d want out too to show my worth…. I’m not saying the legacy stigma that surrounds Colorado bats is right or wrong.. but I doubt he has blinders on when seeing what a hard time walker and helton will have to get in the HOF.
bush1
His contract isn’t terrible. The issue is it’s a market rate deal and no team will send talent back and pay the full contract. That’s just dumb for the Rockies to think otherwise.
BobbyJohn
Bridich’s insertion of the opt-out clause really complicates things, too.
bush1
I doubt he opts out at over 30, and if he did the team would have a ton of money saved to spend elsewhere. I don’t see it as this huge issue. He’s making so much money that having him on a 2 yr deal at his age may be a plus vs paying for the last couple of years
JustCheckingIn
You’re missing the point. Risk
If he opts out, he was Nolan Arenado for the next 2 years
If he doesn’t… something prolly went wrong to a point he’s not worth 160M for next 5 years
That opt out should terrify all teams
steelerbravenation
If Atlanta was serious about winning they would offer Waters, Inciarte, Greene & Wilson. Then sign Ozuna. Let Markakis & Duvall platoon in RF for a year until Pache is ready. Lose some salary in Greene & Inciarte.
1.Acuna CF
2. Arenado 3B
3. Freeman 1B
4. Ozuna LF
5. Markakis/Duvall RF
6. Swanson SS
7. Travis C
8. Albies 2B
What lineup would be better in baseball ????
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
Yes bc the Braves have the payroll to do that. And Albies 8th? Thanks for the laugh.
ronnsnow
I always find it funny when fans say a team has to do something unrealistic to show “they’re serious about winning”.
darmstrong92
No way the Braves payroll jumps that high, even when you subtract Greene and Inciarte. The current 135mm is the highest OD payroll in franchise history already. Covering last year’s midseason “emergencies” pushed us up to an all-time high at 144.. and then it was repeatedly stated that it was well over budget.
No way they jump that high, no matter how much I would love to add both of those players. Honestly, this is probably the reason they low-balled JD.. it might have been all they had left to spend.
larry48
Arenado won’t give up his no-trade clause to go to Atlanta.
skullbreathe
The Cubs? Oh’ please what a dumb rumor… The Cubs are flipping chairs over for loose change to pay the luxury tax this year..
bush1
This is an idiotic comment. The Cubs are trying to reset the tax because paying over repeatedly has large penalties. No team wants to pay over the tax more than a couple years in a row because of this.
mike156
You wonder why they offered the extension in the first place. Colorado is under no obligation to compete, but if they didn’t want to, why not market him before, when his value would be a lot higher? Now they have the contract, and an unhappy player. None of us have any idea of what was said during negotiations, what “promises” were made, but this situation doesn’t help anyone.
stymeedone
You act like there was no talk during negotiations that this contract was the team making him the face of their franchise. If their face wants to win, pouting won’t help! Trust in his teammates, and help get the most out of them.
keyser_soze
“Trust in his teammates”. LOL
bobtillman
You would think that in these days when every FO has a Vice-President for Paper Clip Distribution, that there would be a corporate type whose job it is to prevent this kind of nonsense. Not that there are inevitable disagreements; that’s been going on for years. But making those disagreements public is just assinine.
29-35M a year should make Nolan a business professional, not a Hollywood diva. Got a beef with the FO? No big deal, who doesn’t. But settle it out of the fans’ range. Act like you’ve been here before.
Not a Rox fan, but Briddich might be the worst in MLB. 3M filing into Coors every year has led to a string of bad contracts, a very iffy farm system, and an almost complete lack of direction. Man needs to go.
infractor
I’m confused about the Hollywood comment. What’s the difference between a ball player making tens of millions of dollars and an actor making tens of millions of dollars? Classic armchair “business professional”.
Motionowns
Well arrenados is guaranteed so he can run his mouth as much as he likes.
megaj
Me as owner= 260 million to do your job…please just shut up and play Nolan.
larry48
Just look at NBA new Orleans had to trade a player to Lakers because of the no-trade clause. This happens in football and basketball also. The Rookies have given up rt the right to determine where he can be traded to.
keyser_soze
Davis didn’t have a No Trade clause. They traded him to LA b/c he only plans on signing with a select number of teams when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season. There’s no guarantee that he gonna sign back with LA. So, the only reason he was traded to LA was b/c they were one of the only teams to take that risks of giving up all of the ore prospects & draft picks. Yea, I’m sure there’s a handshake agreement to resign with lakers, but New Orleans could’ve traded him anywhere.
tannedt
You as owner? Omg, thanks for the laugh! Besides the car up on blocks in your front yard, what have you ever owned?
ianandrews5
Deja vu with Tulo again.
jd396
One one hand, I feel for Arenado…
On the other hand, what exactly did he think was going to happen?
Motionowns
They screwed up royaly with the contract, and he’s holding all the cards. Winner’s wanna win, and if played at Coors and people kept crying about my home and road splits, while not having a shot at a world series I’d want out too to show my worth…. I’m not saying the legacy stigma that surrounds Colorado bats is right or wrong.. but I doubt he has blinders on when seeing what a hard time walker and helton will have to get in the HOF.
bush1
I don’t understand why the opt out gets brought up as a huge deal. First of all he’s EXTREMELY unlikely to opt out over 30 with that money left on the table. But if he did opt out whatever team has him gains $35 million a yr to spend. With that said his contract is so massive that if a team takes it on they shouldn’t have to give a ton back. Maybe a useable player or two or a couple flier prospects. The Rockies are idiotic if they think someone will take on that massive deal and pay a lot in prospects or talented guys.
stan lee the manly
That’s what every single GM that is not Bridich feels too, this shouldn’t cost more than a single high prospect plus one or two other lesser useable/flyer players if all the money leaves with him. Until Bridich decides to be realistic about this, the deal isn’t happening.
The rumor is that the Cardinals offered one of their top three prospects and a fairly large package of ML ready players, but they tried to attach Carpenters contract to it as well. Rockies wanted the package without Carp and it fell apart. Shocker.
bush1
Right, it is a pretty tough place to be in for the Rockies front office too. If they eat too much money with minimal return, it’s like what was the point of his extension in the first place? Bridich is clearly a moron so I don’t feel bad for him, but at this point it’s almost a no win scenario and I can’t imagine it going well no matter what.
stan lee the manly
Honestly I think they are relieved that Arenado said something. Now they can paint him as the bad guy and say “he wanted out so what choice did we have?” when they bring back what some Rockies fans are going to see as a “loss”.
south.city.hustle
Yeah, agree. If they don’t pin it all on Arenado, at the very least show that there is strain in the relationship so they can say trade is “best for the club moving forward”….
Bridich really did F up here (yes, elsewhere as well) …. to have trade discussions with clubs that involve Arenado, the face of your franchise, and have him NOT take it personally after the extension he signed with the team he thought wanted him long term (regardless of any rumored promises about building around him) … its just not a good look and its a testament to Bridich’s management that he either didn’t see problems with trade discussions or didn’t care about the repercussions of these discussions. Arenado is not going to ‘put this behind him’….Bridich is in a no win situation of his own doing.
I didn’t believe Arenado would be with CO for all of 2020. And now I believe that timeline will be moving up – moving somewhere before Spring Training.
bush1
Could be true. Doesn’t help their leverage in any trade though. Other teams are aware of the mess in Colorado now.
ForestCobraAL
Let’s cut the bulls…. The Rockies can move this along with a DFA of Arenado.. It’s unlikely any team claims him. If some team does then the Rockies problem becomes that teams problem.
When Arenado passes through waivers he has a choice, 1) enjoy playing at triple-A like Rusney Castillo and Odubel Herrera or 2) give up the contract and become a free agent.
It’s the Rockies move. They’re on the clock.
RunDMC
Are you a divorce attorney?
robluca21
Pretty sure he can refuse a minor league assignment with his service time
bush1
Someone would claim Arenado. The problem is that the Rockies want someone to take on his contract AND give up a lot in good talent in return. If another team claimed him they wouldn’t give up much of anything in return and the Rockies would look more idiotic than they already do. So that’s not a realistic option.
CT
DFAing a player doesn’t removed the payment obligation. The Rockies are still on the hook for the entire contract even if the DFA Arenado..
heater
Not really how that stuff works and he’s getting his all of his money.
slowcurve
I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Well Arenado gets DFAd( probably be estatic); he gets paid, he chooses FA, he gets final decision. So……I bet NA would love if the Roxs DFAd him. How does JB still have a job?
paindonthurt
This entire thread is full of stupid.
kenly0
YES
desertbull
The whole “I’m being disrespected” thing by athletes is ridiculous. Stop crying.
WhereIs28
He signed for the money plain and simple. He knew its a bad franchise that always seems to be going nowhere its hes fault. We are suppose to feel bad that hes making all that money he got disrespected please he needs to grow up its a business no one forced him to sign and who knows he might not get a better deal if he opts out. I wish someone disrespected me by giving me 230 million contract.
22Leo
If you are in wishing mode, maybe you should start by wishing for some talent.
dman07
Reminds me somewhat of the Tulo situation in Colorado…
bigdaddyt
If I’m the Blue jays I’m on the phone with Colorado the minute they start blowing up the team and and am trying to get Blackmon. Offer Gritchuk, Alford, Smith and a couple wild card A ball pitchers, with 0 salary retained my Colorado
its_happening
Ok, now we’re getting somewhere bigdaddy. Whereas the other thread when you mentioned Blackmon, I was not for it. With this idea, might as well throw in Bryan Shaw to alleviate salary. Blackmon can sit against lefties. If this hypothetical happens, Jays will then need to figure out the INF and make another deal to either move Travis Shaw to 2B and Biggio to the OF, or deal Tellez to make Shaw and Vlad the 1B and DH respectively.
dman07
Biggio or Bichette would have to be on the move for a move like this to happen. I don’t think Colorado would trade without getting a pitcher. Maybe Zeuch could be in play…
jdgoat
Sounds like Monfort has a choice between Arenado and Bridich. I know which one I’d hitch my cart to…
carlos15
Nolan should be careful or they’ll trade him someplace where he’ll hit .240/.300/.450 with 25 homers and 70 RBI.
stan lee the manly
He doesn’t have to be careful about anything, he has a full no-trade clause. He gets to pick the trade partner, not the Rockies.
socalblake
Nolan, give Mike Trout a call.
bbatardo
I’m actually with Arenado on this one. They knew the budget when they signed him and I highly doubt they said sorry you get the last of the money, go compete. They could have structured the deal slightly differently if they needed to free a little money, but I doubt they are maxed out anyway.
bush1
Yeah I almost guarantee that they told him they’d continue to spend if he signed with him, and assured him that his contract wouldn’t stop them from that. That’s likely the reason he’s so upset.
south.city.hustle
Not surprising to see / hear about Arenado’s frustration with the Rockies GM. And the GM knew it too, which is why they were “listening” to offers. Bridi needs to just rip the band aid off and trade Nolan for whatever best offer he can get (probably currently on the table) – situation will just keep souring until Arenado is moved – because Rockies are not adding to payroll….
bush1
The Rockies need to rip the bandaid off and fire Bridich. He’s done a truly awful job.
south.city.hustle
I don’t disagree. But upon Bridi’s firing will the Rockies all of a sudden start spending money? He’s made terrible decisions and the Rockies need to be careful here … or they’ll end up having to tear it down and start over – including firing Bridi. There is a middle ground but egos will need to be set aside for the betterment of the organization.
bush1
No, they’re not suddenly going to spend more. But getting rid of the idiot who orchestrated this mess is a start.
BobbyJohn
Bridich signed Ian Desmond to a terrible contract, which ultimately led to LeMahieu, Ottovino, and Tauchman all leaving, Ryan McMahon playing out of positon, and necessitated them signing Daniel Murphy.
Bridich then threw a ton of money at a bunch of relievers who had no business being offered those contracts, severely limiting the team’s ability to address other areas.
The opt-out clause in Arenado’s contract was inserted at Bridich’s request, not Nolan’s.
And the team currently has a farm system ranked in the 24-25 range in MLB.
It is not that hard to sort out who the problem is here.
thegmen
Rockies never really took that next step to win a WS. The biggest FA they signed was Daniel Murphy I think.
larry48
Daniel Murphy sucks, he is a negative war and DRS.
fletch
Dude your hauling in 234 mil to play baseball. It’s a business, Rockies management are clowns. Play the game!
Jesse Cook
Wouldn’t it be something if he approved a trade to a team like the Marlins,Rays,or Orioles? I know it won’t happen,but that would shock the baseball world.
hoodat
Just send Arenado to the Cardinals & end this debacle
SupremeZeus
MLB is entertainment. Baseball needs more drama. I love it. More please.
22Leo
Maybe you should stick to watching wrestling.
Bubba Don
How about he raises his concerns in private rather than through the media ?
Frisco500
Almost a quarter billion dollars and he feels disrespected. Huh.
maximumvelocity
Again, it doesn’t matter how much he is making. He has every right to express displeasure with his working conditions. No one wants to play for a team that has no desire to win. At least not players that actually care about winning.
Fans want it all ways. If a player doesn’t try hard to win, they complain. If a player says they want more help to win, they complain. If ownership calls out a player, they cheer. If a player calls out an owner, they complain.
Stop putting these billionaires on a pedestal, and stop chastising players for wanting better for their lives. Money isn’t everything.
chesteraarthur
Yeah, player is totally innocent. Zero personal responsibility.
maximumvelocity
Personal responsibility for making a complaint?
That makes zero sense.
msqboxer
Think a dark horse in this Arenado sweepstakes would be the White Sox. 1) Moves him out of the NL 2) Payroll flexibility and they were in on Machado 3) Prospect rich. For the White Sox though they aren’t giving up Moncada, Jimenez or Robert. Could they build something around Madrigal/Kopech and others any thoughts?
maximumvelocity
They have zero chance incentive for Arenado.
Why cost yourself the ability of acquiring a big-ticket player at a position of need, and give up player you need on the roster now, to get a guy to play at position where you already have a top player?
If they could have got Donaldson or Rendon, that’s one thing, because it costs no prospects. You would still have Madrigal for another trade.
This is taking wood from the fence to build an extension to the porch.
RJY707499
I wouldn’t have my No Trade removed to go to the White Sox.
Luke1358
The Rockies will never win with Briddich as the GM, I want that dude out of the front office like yesterday, he’s probably the worst GM in baseball.
bush1
Yeah, he’s awful for sure
brucenewton
I guess he was expecting the Rockies to suddenly be able to lure the top pitchers to come to Coors.
Internal options
Rox are in a bad spot. Arenado has all the leverage. Why would they give him an opt after two and a no trade clause is beyond me. They have to know he won’t stay after two right? A good GM would realize his mistake and do what’s best for the team and get what he can now. Rockies need ground ball pitchers and a couple major league ready players Plus a good prospect or two. I think the Cardinals or the Braves would give them that so why not make the deal now? The GM should eat crow, Make the best deal he can for the current team and fans. They will be a better team overall without Arenado, financially and on the field.
Internal options
If the Rockies GM is stupid enough to try to move Arenado within the division Rockies fans should storm his office and run him out of town on a rail. If the GM regrets spending that much money he should talk to the Cardinals, they only have three players on the books after 2021 sounds to me like they have some payroll flexibility which the Rockies obviously don’t have. Arenado isn’t the only bad contract in Denver, I feel sorry for their fans because this guy is an idiotThe Dodgers look to be winning their eighth Straight so he should think about that