It has been an awkward few months between the Rockies and franchise player Nolan Arenado. Although the superstar third baseman signed a club-record extension worth $234MM over seven years almost exactly 12 months ago (Feb. 26, 2019), there’s already friction between the two sides.
Arenado has frequented trade rumors and felt “disrespected” by the Rockies over the fact that they’ve done almost nothing to improve since a 71-win showing last year. Rockies bigwigs “felt assaulted” as a result of that revelation from Arenado, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports writes. And when Arenado met with owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich during the offseason, the two organizational higher-ups took offense when the player questioned how much they want to win.
Had Arenado known the Rockies wouldn’t make a legitimate effort to better themselves, he may have turned down the extension, played out last season and tested the free-agent waters this past winter.
“Of course, I look back,’’ Arenado told Nightengale of his decision to stay in Colorado for the long haul. “I’m human, man.’’
Bridich, the executive responsible for constructing the Rockies’ roster, said last week that he expects to sit down with the disgruntled Arenado sometime this spring in an effort to repair their frayed relationship. That hasn’t happened thus far, though, per Nightengale. The two aren’t even speaking at all right now, according to Nightengale, who adds that Arenado’s only “nodding [Bridich’s] way when they’ve cross paths.”
Despite his unhappiness with those running the franchise, Arenado’s not going to serve as a behind-the-scenes distraction or put in any less effort if he stays with the Rockies, as he stated a couple weeks ago. It continues to appear less and less likely he’ll wind up on the move before the season starts in a month, but Nightengale reports that the Rockies are expected to put him back on the block before the July 31 trade deadline.
Between now and the deadline, the hope for both sides is that the Rockies will return to their playoff-caliber ways of 2017-18, thus negating the desire for a trade. If not, though, Arenado told Nightengale: “Then, the whole organization has to look at themselves and say, ‘Ok, what’s the next step?’ I guarantee I’ll be part of that conversation.’’
Arenado seems like a bit of a whiner.
I think the opposite. arenado doesn’t JUST want the money. he wants to win. he wants to be successful as a player and a franchise. he isn’t just content with making his money. he wants to have a winning team around him, and he deserves so. He cares more than so many other players would.
He’s throwing his entire team under the bus by publicly considering them not capable of winning.
The incompetent bullpen and gIDp have proven themselves incapable of contributing to a winner. They may have the 11th highest payroll, but their sunk costs are enormous.
they’re not though…..
no, he called out his GM for not bringing in players to improve a 90 loss team.
Because they are not. If his entire team doesn’t know this they are in denial.
Ridiculous.
He’ll be a Cardinal this July.
Where do I go to receive $275 million to be disrespected?
Let’s see your skill set, man and then we’ll talk money.
Then he should have went to free agency because this has been the Rockies for a long, long time.
Oh please spare me the he cares more than others speech.
He took the money because he wanted the money. Now there is less available to build a team around him. He knew that would be the case.
Why? From everything I’ve read, the team gave him every assurance they would improve the club and then didn’t. Even this article specifically says, “Had Arenado known the Rockies wouldn’t make a legitimate effort to better themselves, he may have turned down the extension, played out last season and tested the free-agent waters this past winter.”
He also says he will give 100% on the field regardless. If he keeps that promise, it doesn’t seem like he’s much of a whiner… especially as compared to plenty of others.
Wondering how he knows they aren’t making a legit attempt at improving? They are around a top 10 team in spending. Did they tell him they were going to all of a sudden go over the luxury tax threshold in order to bring in free agent talent? Who specifically did he want?
“Around tenth…” haha. They’re 14th and 65 million dollars away from the luxury tax. They’ve done nothing to improve. Hell, even a token bullpen arm might’ve satisfied him. But they’ve actually gone backwards.
They have a $176M payroll on the 40 man Baines- the threshold is $208M. My point was simply what does he expect? Do you think the team told him they were going to spend close to the threshold the very next season? Or that he would have say on who the team would consider bringing in? If they did then sure – he has the right to complain this early in his contract.
The payroll (40man) was $151M in 2018, $173M in 2019… and sits at $176M a month before the 2020 season begins. My guess is that the Rockies probably told him the plan was to compete in these coming years, and he took that meaning they would keep increasing payroll as they did last year to sign him. How much would it have taken to bring one of these starters to colorado? Or did Arenado want a hitter?
He expects them to try and compete. They lost 91 games last year and added nobody. The Dodgers, DBacks, and Padres all improved. I understand prospects and the improvement of young players will happen but that’s not going to be enough to jump LA and/or Arizona. I have no idea how anyone can side with the front office here.
He expects them to do something. The Rockies did not sign one free agent or make one trade this offseason. They were a 90 loss team and literally did nothing to improve. He isn’t asking them to break the bank, but he is asking them to make an effort to improve the team however they can, not do nothing.
The Rockies NEVER promised him anything but his money…with $ signs in his eyes, he jumped on it. The Rockies have never been perennial playoff contenders! If they even hinted they were going to overhaul the team and bring in power players, his big mouth would’ve stated as much. You’re ASSUMING they made promises to him of that nature. He’s petulant and a whiner. He should’ve hit free agency if he wanted to play for a contender so bad. Common sense! The Rockies have NEVER been that team. The $ signs in his eyes made him sign with them. Nothing more.
I don’t think your assessment is very fair. Yes the club invested in Arenado. But let’s not pretend he couldn’t have got that much money or more from at least half the clubs in the MLB. He would have been paid. He chose to take Colorado’s money with intent of playing there and with an obvious desire to win. If the club is willing to invest that sort of money into one player, they are indicating their willingness to invest in winning. There’s a reason garbage teams with no immediate intent on winning, don’t throw out $200m+ contracts. Whether the Rockies said specifically “we are going to improve our club this offseason” or not, their actions indicated they were invested. They won 71 games last year. They have the assets to pay players and the prospects to improve via trade. They did nothing. The best case for both is for the Rockies to trade Arenado and rebuild like they are trying to pretend they aren’t.
He’s certainly not acting like a leader.
Leaders want to win and expect those around them to feel the same, which upper management doesn’t.
Leaders make the people around them better, not complain that they need better people around them
I think Arenado is doing his part when it comes to winning. The people that are responsible for rewarding that are sitting on their hands. Arenado could have had that sort of money from a lot of teams.
Arenado hasn’t whined his entire career. It sounds much more like this is on the Rockies FO. It sounds like they made promises and made no attempt to keep them. If a guy of Arenado’s stature finally expresses disappointment after years of keeping quiet, I give him the benefit of the doubt. Not only that, I have read a lot of comments from Rockies fans regarding that FO in recent years, and none of them have been positive.
..and where’s the line drawn at his notion of “improving” the team? What, go spend another 100+ million on Wheeler to improve the rotation? Still ain’t catching the Dodgers or DBacks or, hell, maybe still behind the Padres. I understand his frustration, though, as there are definitely moves to be made to at least bring some fresh blood onto the roster (look at what LAA and MIN did to add depth to their rotation, despite missing out on the big names)… Rockies could have easily taken this approach. Sure, a Dylan Bundy or a Homer Bailey wouldn’t have satisfied Arenado, but at least it would have shown SOME sign of life from the FO.
Exactly. Did they tell Arenado they plan on spending over $200M a year? Be a top 3 spending team in this league?
Or maybe he’s just mad they didn’t go after one of these legit starters. But easier said than done… for a guy like Wheeler or Bumgarner to choose pitching in Colorado over Arizona or Philadelphia – how much would they of had to overpay?
The Rookies told him they INTENDED to upgrade the next season to be recognized as a play-off contender. You don’t have to spend an extra $200 Million to do that!!! Look at the Cardinals…. they were play-off contenders and virtually have upgraded at all over the last 2 years!!! Especially with one of the worst offenses in the MLB. Arenaldo has a right to be unhappy. Specifically if the report is correct in the fact that is what he was told by the Tockies. Now it looks like the Rockies just told Arenaldo about the upgrading for 2020 to just get him to ink their contract!!!
Cardinals have extra pitching and extra outfielders and 3rd baseman. Arenaldo would be welcomed in St. Louis by continual standing ovations every time he bats!!! Plus, Arenaldo could very well be just that spark that could vault the Cardinals into the World Series for several years to come!!!!!
Excuse me. I meant to say, “The Cardinals haven’t upgraded their team over the past 2 seasons.”
How can Arenaldo be a whiner??? Before signing his contract extension, he was TOLD the Rockies were going to upgrade the next season to the point they would be a play-off contender. I don’t call that whining!!!
I can’t imagine the Rockies told Arenado when he was extended that “NEXT season, we are going to upgrade to a point where we will be a playoff contender!”
The Rockies WERE a playoff contender in 2018. They then extended him that offseason and added to their overall payroll by $25M. What reason did they have to think the team was about to take a step back in 2019?
But they did… So the answer is to keep adding to that payroll? Get an over $200M payroll? You really think the team told Arenado that? I agree the Rockies needed that starter… I wonder if they made any offers? Or were guys like Bum and Wheeler simply not interested in pitching half their starts in Colorado?
Or not.
He’s been a team guy. Yes, he got upset this past season because he felt he was deceived. Do a poll and you’ll find it rare to find someone who likes the GM, Jeff Bridich. They do love Arenado. Bridich is full of himself. Believes he has won championships.
I have never gotten that sense throughout his career. He seems like a pretty stand up guy to me.
Arenado needs to grow up. He signed the deal, he should have known better. Not talking is unforgivably childish.
Sad to live in a world where broken promises and a man’s word come at a cost. Innocence lost, I guess.
The Rockies NEVER promised him anything but his money…with $ signs in his eyes, he jumped on it. The Rockies have never been perennial playoff contenders! If they even hinted they were going to overhaul the team and bring in power players, his big mouth would’ve stated as much. You’re ASSUMING they made promises to him of that nature. He’s petulant and a whiner. He should’ve hit free agency if he wanted to play for a contender so bad. Common sense! The Rockies have NEVER been that team.
If he wants to win that badly what was he thinking signing an extension with the Rockies? If I was a player that’s serious about winning I’m not sure I would extend with a team that has zero championships, zero division titles, and just a single pennant from back in 07, in its entire history.
Exactly my thoughts…plus he is a dodger guy…I’m sure he felt some sentiment for them but in reality he should have known
Washington Nationals say hi!
FACTS!!!
Let me understand. If you agreed to stay at your current job, only because they promised you say….a new desk, new computer, fresh paint to your your office. Then after you turned down that other offer, 6 months later they haven’t done of those things they promised you wouldn’t be complaining? Give me a break. AKA get a life.
Terrible analogy.
Being promised a desk and paint and computer are specific things. Being promised to make the team better isn’t as cut and dry. Does spending money automatically make the team better? They promoted their top prospect last year, isn’t that considered trying to improve? He got hurt but should be back this year so do you penalize the front office for his injury?
Who says he’s the one not talking? Maybe it’s the front office.
2021 Opt-Out Loading…..
But the fact remains that his home and away splits over the past 3 years show a player who is not offensively great away from the thin air of Coors, and at an luxury tax AAV of 32.5M, I doubt many teams take that chance. And that’s of the few teams that could even afford him.
I looked at this around the time he signed his deal. the home/away splits are pretty drastic.
now people can say… blah blah.. home crowd away crowd. yeah that effects some people..But really.. it is a lot for him.
Just look at his career.
Home: 2188PAs 129HR 446RBI .995OPS
Away: 2169PA 98HR 228RBI .799OPS
Clearly effected by a favorable environment.
Now look at Trout, Stanton and other ‘greats’ yeah there will be some gaps but with Nolan its pretty huge.
Nolan has other positive attributes beyond the bat too, but fans of other teams looking at his bat should be cautious.
As a pirates fan, i’d want him in a minute.. still a darn fine ball player .1000ops or .800ops…. not that it would happen of course. lol
La Dodgers would take his contract
I don’t think they would. I really think they are planning to try and keep Mookie and Bellinger and build around the pair.
Arenado also plays in 3 away parks that very heavily favors the pitchers in SD, SF, and LA. The vast majority of players also perform better at home. There’s a comfort level, especially with the batter’s eye. Give him a couple of full seasons in another stadium and I guarantee his overall numbers even out to close to his current numbers.
True, yet it’s a FACT that Coors Field aids hitters, even with the humidor. I’m not saying i wouldn’t want him, but at that salary you can’t afford to have him hit at just a better than average rate, he needs to be great like he is at home.
Would your favorite team take Aaron Judge? Check his home and away splits. I heard the same argument about why signing DJ lemehieu was a terrible idea. There is a reason why sports fans are the fans and not the GM.
AND a full no trade. What a country.
I get that it must be somewhat frustrating as a player to be on a losing team. But like this whole thing seems kind of like Arenado is being a bit of a baby — for the most part the core of the team that made the playoffs two years ago is still in tact. So yes they had a bad year last year but it’s not like the club decided to sell off all of their assets and tank/rebuild. Idk it just seems like he’s taking things a little too far when the club hasn’t really done anything to indicate they don’t intend/want to compete — their payroll is still along the lines of what it was when he resigned. And I really don’t think he should’ve expected them to drastically increase payroll when he signed… so this whole thing seems a little out of touch with the reality of how a rational person would’ve expected the Rockies to proceed roster/payroll wise just 12-months ago.
Who knows what they promised in that boardroom when they convinced him to forgo free agency and resign. Signing only one marginal free agent this offseason is a pretty good sign that the Rockies are OK with staying status quo, no? I feel he has every right to complain. Bridich had the choice to squash this with a private conversation but instead chose to air it out in public. IMO, that’s a big mistake and surefire way to further piss off your franchise player and alienate your fanbase.
I hate it when players whine about their team not trying, especially when it isn’t warranted. The Rockies spent a lot of money to try and improve their team. Free agent pitchers don’t want to go there. Most of their deals haven’t worked out. The situation isn’t a whole lot different from when he signed. Did he expect them to spend all that money to sign him and then hug the CBT cap this off-season? That’s a lot to expect from Colorado.
They’re not close to the luxury tax so that’s irrelevant. They could’ve made trades or at least attempted to do something and they didn’t.
Outside of a handful of years, the Rockies have always been trash.
Arenado should have known better.
He made his bed, now he has to sleep in it.
I’d have kept my mouth shut, then used the opt out clause when it came time.
Both sides are wrong here.
Not going to be a “ distraction” it has already become a “ distraction”. Like a player in the final year of a contract and that is all that is spoken of, or the cheating Astros. Does anyone not think any of that isn’t going to be a “ distraction”. Sounds good to say but when the player and a GM with no stones don’t talk it is a “ distraction”.
What in the heck did he expect he signed that long-term contract with a demon that’s never really gone to the playoffs let alone win the World Series common sense and not the dollar would have been a lot better use
Awww, just shut up and cash your checks.
I’d rather have a player that wants to win, as opposed to one who is only interested in cashing checks…
I also hate winning
It’s really hard to say a team “disrespected” you after giving you a quarter-billion dollar contract…
The Dodgers are too good for Colorado to even try to chase right now. At best, they’re looking at building toward a WC spot. The Rockies and D-Backs and to fine extent the Padres all know they can’t compete. They’re in a bind. And Arenado should know the club doesn’t have unlimited money to bring in FAs, because, well, he’s the one spending it.
When did he say that was where he felt disrespected? He was lied to and that’s why he’s upset.
Lol, the word “disrespected” is in quotes and literally in italics and bright red font with a link to ANOTHER article where he said he felt “disrespected.” Are you for real??
How are the Dodgers too good to chase?” The Rockies tied them for the division in 2018. People are acting as if the Rockies are no better than the Tigers or the Orioles. This is basically the same team that went to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018. And from May-July of last year, they were like 15-20 games over .500. They had a bad start to the year and were decimated by injury after the ASG.
Its a pipedream I’m sure, but cmon Jays… go get him! Shift Vladdy to 1st and your INF is set for the next 6 years, plus his contract expires when the rookies need new contracts!
1B – Vlad Jr
2B – Biggio
SS – Bichette
3B – Arenado
Plus it gives you the luxury of moving Biggio to the OF, when another SS prospect plays his way onto the roster.
Man up, Rogers!
Didn’t the Jays already walk that path, when they traded for Troy Tulowitzski and everyone knows how that worked out. Second: Just which of Pearson, Biggio, Bichette, or Vlad goes back to Colorado in the trade, because Colorado wouldn’t settle for low prospects. I can’t really see Colorado asking for McKinny, Fisher, Telez being the center pieces of the trade. lol.
Tulo was always injured and then they move him to astroturf. That was just a horrible trade from the beginning. This isn’t remotely close to the same thing.
The Jays still have a solid crop of rookie talent in the minors, particularly at SS and C. They wouldn’t need to touch any of the 4 guys you mentioned to get a deal done… but Rogers won’t spend and it’s only worthwhile if you get Arenado to remove his opt out.
Yeah that’s perfectly logical. You made a trade once that didn’t work out so you better not make another trade.
Why do we think that all three of the 2nd gens are going to be studs. Vlad Jr was hot ass trash last year.
Hot ass trash last season is an exaggration. While I’m not saying that Guerrero had a fantastic rookie season, he batted .272/.339/.449 with 21 home runs and a 106 OPS+. That’s not bad production for a 20 year old. High expectiations and not meeting them doesn’t mean unproductive.
Bottom line is, he’s right. That organization has done nothing to improve an already below par team, with no apparent direction or even half an idea of how to get better.
Another crap article from Connor Byrne. There is no latest on Arenado ….. It’s the same story is a month
Don’t you mean Nightengale?
Come join the Dodgers Nolan!
We’ll see how legit Arenado’s continued lip flapping is when it comes time to opt out of a guaranted $165mil, after ’21.
Arenado will opt out and go to a team he wants to play for. I would love to see him replace Turner at 3B for La Dodgers. Dodgers have a lot of money coming off after the 2020 season.
Nothing new here. Arenado wants to win now. The Rockies need to win big in April. If they lose it could be either GM Bridich or Arenado sent packing. The Rox have two excellent 3B prospects in Colton Welker and Brendon Rodgers.
The Rox will destroy the rookies just like they did Dahl.
He isn’t going anywhere. Don’t sign the contract if you’re miserable. He’s a dumb ass, a million dollar dumb ass, but a dumb ass nonetheless
Please come to Boston for the Spring time. The Green Monstah is waiting.
youtube.com/watch?v=UDRLZFgEoGw
Texas Rangers say hi!
Good leaders would worry about their own game instead of complaining out publicly. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!
I’m a Yankees fan so the Rockie fans can correct me if I’m wrong but hasn’t he been a good guy since joining the team. I never heard of him making a negative statement.
And the reality he is is arguably the best or one of the very elite third baseman who ever played the game. He is Brooks Robinson defense with Mike Schmidt offense. He is an absolute stud of a player.