We all knew that it was only a matter of time until the Colorado Rockies traded star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
It’s been just over a year since the vet known for his bat and terrific defense had some pretty blunt things to say about the state of the team — lots of talk of “disrespect” that made it seem like he was unhappy. But the trade talk from last offseason died down and Arenado played the 2020 season in Colorado.
Now, per multiple reports, he’s off to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he’ll be the centerpiece of a pretty solid lineup on a team that could contend in the National League Central, although the deal isn’t 100 percent complete per USA TODAY Sports‘ Bob Nightengale:
We have a new favorite in the NL Central: The #STLCards who finally get their man.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2021
The deal will not be completed tonight. Nolan Arenado still has to formally approve it and negotiate his opt-out clause.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2021
The #Rockies would pay at least $50 million of the remaining $199 million left in Arenado's contract, meaning the #STLCards would be paying about $25 million a year for Arenado. Right now, he still would get an opt-out clause in 2021 and 2022.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2021
The #STLCards are not giving up any of their top 5 prospects in the trade. Their top prospect likely would be OF Jhon Torres, their No. 9 prospect.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2021
All I can think of with this deal is: the Rockies are once again in a rough cycle of disappointment. Since making it to the World Series in 2007, they’ve made the playoffs three times and never got past the NLDS. Arenado paired with Trevor Story to form an awesome core with vet Charlie Blackmon, and now Colorado faces a reality in which it gave the third baseman so much money and have not much — not even top prospects, per the report above — to show for it, even needing to pay to have his contract off its books.
Now, if I’m Colorado’s front office, it’s time to deal Story next before he potentially leaves next offseason. It’s another rebuild, and that’s just a bummer (but it’s extremely good news for the Cardinals).
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