Colorado Rockies

After dealing Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Colorado Rockies are hanging on to one of their other stars.  

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Wednesday that the team is "not willing to discuss" trades that include shortstop Trevor Story. 

Even Rockies owner Dick Monfort expressed sadness about the Arenado deal, but team leadership has stuck behind its desire to keep Story on the roster even though he will become a free agent at the end of the coming season. 

General manager Jeff Bridich told reporters Tuesday that the Rockies "certainly cherish" having Story on the roster, and he expects the shortstop to be with the team when the 2021 season opens. 

The looming free-agency period had raised questions about Story's future considering the team was open about its willingness to trade Arenado since he could opt out of his contract in 2022 or 2023. 

Story was upset by the team's decision to move Arenado.

"Nolan's one of my best friends, baseball aside, so this hurts," Story said, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "He's the best third baseman in the game. I'm sad and a little frustrated to be honest. All I can do is focus on playing the best baseball I can for my teammates and the fans. They deserve it."

The two-time All-Star finished the pandemic-shortened season slashing .289/.355/.519 with 28 RBI and 11 home runs while leading the National League with 15 stolen bases and four triples. 

He is due $17.5 million in base salary in what is currently his final season under contract in Colorado.

Since moving the face of their franchise in Arenado, it's imperative that the Rockies hang on to the 28-year-old Story if they want to have any hopes of competing for the postseason in 2021. 

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort told reporters on Tuesday that he understood fan frustration after the team traded superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Austin Gomber, minor league infielders Elehuris Montero and Mateo Gil and minor league pitchers Tony Locey and Jake Sommers.

But Monfort still believes the Rockies will be a competitive team without Arenado. 

"We have an extremely talented team," he said. "They are built to compete. It is time for them to take the next step."

General manager Jeff Bridich concurred.

"There are levels and variations of the rebuild process, but this certainly is not a total teardown and rebuild like certain teams have chosen to go," he said. "I think if that were the case that certain players would have already been traded."

One of those players might be star shortstop Trevor Story, who will hit free agency after the 2021 season. Trading Arenado and Story in one year might be a bridge too far for Rockies fans in severely depleting the team's offense, though Story might depart in a year regardless. 

Either way, Monfort believes the team's pitching is good enough to take the Rockies to the next level. Colorado (26-34) finished three games out of the last wild-card spot during an expanded postseason field.

"My biggest belief is we have built pitching and we have done it internally. We have a lot of talented pitchers," said Monfort, who has been part of the franchise for 24 years and has had sole control of the team since 2011. "... Jeff has done a good job of getting young arms and not having to go out onto the free-agency market. I think the pitching is really a core that we've never had in our history."

It's hard to imagine the Rockies being better, however, after losing a five-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glover in Arenado who hit at least 37 homers in five straight seasons between 2015-19 before 2020's pandemic-shortened campaign. His eight home runs in 48 games last year did represent something of a down year, putting him on pace to hit 27 homers in a 162-game season. 

I think Nolan Arenado no longer playing baseball for the Colorado Rockies is a signal of total organizational failure, one that smart people would analyze to ensure that it won’t happen again. I don’t get the sense that the owner and GM see it the same way.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) February 2, 2021

Best idea I've heard from rival evaluator on how the Rockies should've handled Nolan Arenado this winter: Give him the window to opt out immediately. No matter the response, they would've been in a better position to deal with his situation.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 31, 2021

When a 27-homer pace is seen as a down year, though, you're talking about a superstar player. 

But Arenado was being paid like one, due $199 million over the final six seasons of his current deal. Arenado added a seventh season to the deal in the trade and exchanged an opt-out clause for after the 2021 season to either one he could exercise following either the 2022 or 2023 campaign, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

"$50 MILLION DOLLARS?!" 🤯

The Rockies are sending the Cardinals more money in the Arenado trade than they have spent on any free agent in the last three years. pic.twitter.com/VvYnYy9mbZ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 2, 2021

In the final deal, the Rockies will send $51 million to the Cardinals to pay down Arenado’s salary, per source. The majority of that will be due after Arenado’s two opt-out clauses have passed -- assuming he hasn’t opted out of his contract.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 2, 2021

"When I signed in Colorado, I signed it with the intent of being there for the rest of my career," Arenado told reporters. "It wasn't meant to be. The last few years have been tough."

But Arenado is hoping St. Louis will become his new baseball home for the long term.

"I plan on sticking around," he said. "That's my goal. I plan on staying here for a long time. I said that once in Colorado, but I truly mean it. I'm not worried about [opting out]."

The Rockies didn't risk the possibility of an opt-out. It's hard to imagine they'll be better off for it, at least this year, no matter how Monfort and Bridich try to spin the situation. 

Colorado Rockies fans are still reeling from the departure of Nolan Arenado, but at least they don't have to contemplate how much Trevor Story's exit might compound their misery.

General manager Jeff Bridich told reporters Tuesday the Rockies "certainly cherish having Trevor as our shortstop" and that he believes the two-time All-Star will be with the team on Opening Day.

Story will make $17.5 million in base salary in 2021 before hitting free agency.

Part of the justification for making Arenado available was that the star third baseman can opt out of his contract in 2022 or 2023. Now that the Rockies are facing a similar dilemma with Story, it stood to reason his future in Denver might be in doubt.

Bridich explained Tuesday the franchise isn't looking to tear its roster down to the studs:

Jeff Bridich: “this isn’t a total team overhaul. A rebuild is not the case for our situation right now” #rockies

— Jenny Cavnar (@jennycavnar) February 2, 2021

His stance on Story was far from emphatic, though:

Asked about Trevor Story, Bridich said: "It’s very difficult to predict what the coming months will look like." He added that he expects Story to begin the season with the Rockies.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 2, 2021

The 28-year-old continued to be a consistent offensive contributor in 2020. He finished with 11 home runs, 28 RBI and a .289/.355/.519 slash line. His 15 stolen bases were also the highest in the National League.

Since debuting in 2016, Story is first among shortstops in weighted on-base average (.368) and ninth in weighted runs created plus (114), per FanGraphs.

If the Rockies are looking to remain respectable in 2021, then trading Arenado makes it even more imperative to retain Story. He and Charlie Blackmon will have to shoulder a heavy burden in the lineup.

Should Colorado find itself out of playoff contention early on, making Story available could gain more traction inside the front office, though his contract status would likely limit any return in a trade.

After the Rockies dealt one of the greatest players in franchise history, all bets would seemingly be off when it comes to Story.     

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story is sad to see his talented teammate go.  

"Nolan's one of my best friends, baseball aside, so this hurts," Story said of the trade that sent Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "He's the best third baseman in the game. I'm sad and a little frustrated to be honest. All I can do is focus on playing the best baseball I can for my teammates and the fans. They deserve it."

The trade was made official Monday with the Rockies sending Arenado and cash to offset part of his contract to the Cardinals for left-hander Austin Gomber, minor league infielders Elehuris Montero and Mateo Gil, and minor league pitchers Tony Locey and Jake Sommers.

Even the Rockies' Twitter account seemed sad about the move:

The deal is done. 😢

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 2, 2021

That Story is frustrated is all the more notable because he is scheduled for free agency following the 2021 campaign.

With Arenado gone, the 28-year-old figures to be the next franchise cornerstone, but that will only be the case if the Rockies re-sign him. They certainly acted like sellers by moving one of the best players in the entire league in Arenado, so it is fair to at least wonder if they will do so.

Story slashed .289/.355/.519 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI during the shortened 2020 campaign and hit 35 long balls in 2019 after posting 37 home runs and 108 RBI in 2018. He is a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger and will now be the most important player in Colorado's lineup.

Arenado can say the same about his role in the Cardinals' lineup.

The 29-year-old is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and eight-time Gold Glover who led the league in home runs in 2015, 2016 and 2018 while leading the league in RBI in 2015 and 2016.

He gives the Cardinals a dynamic power bat and steady glove at the hot corner and should make them the favorite in a National League Central that hasn't exactly added many other notable pieces elsewhere.

Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers fans likely share Story's frustration with this trade.

The Atlanta Braves have reportedly "checked in" with the Colorado Rockies about a potential blockbuster trade for third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported Friday that the Braves are a "long shot" in the Arenado sweepstakes after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted Thursday the St. Louis Cardinals are in active discussions with the Rockies about the five-time All-Star.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos is under pressure to bolster the club's lineup after outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall, who combined to hit 34 home runs during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season, both entered free agency.

Ozuna, who finished sixth in National League MVP voting last year, is still available, but the Braves may be hesitant to invest heavily in him with MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association so far unable to agree on whether the NL will keep the designated hitter in 2021 and beyond.

The team did improve its starting rotation with the additions of Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly, but that power-hitting void must be filled to remain atop the highly competitive NL East for a third straight season.

Atlanta watched as the rival New York Mets (Francisco Lindor, James McCann, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor May) and Washington Nationals (Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester and Brad Hand) made significant improvements to their rosters during the offseason.

While the Philadelphia Phillies haven't made that same type of splash, they've worked to overhaul their bullpen, a major weakness in 2020, with the acquisitions of Archie Bradley, Jose Alvarado and Sam Coonrod.

A trade for Arenado would be the type of move that would solidify the Braves as the team to beat in the division once again in 2021. He would take over at third base with Austin Riley moving to left field, a major upgrade over current projected starter Ender Inciarte in the corner outfield.

The question isn't the fit but the financial aspect, with the eight-time Gold Glove Award winner set to make $35 million next season as part of his eight-year, $260 million contract. The deal runs through 2026, but he can opt out to become a free agent after 2021.

Given the Braves non-tendered Duvall because of concerns he could receive up to $7.1 million in arbitration, finding a way to make $35 million fit within their salary structure could be difficult; Heyman noted the Rockies don't want to absorb much of that money in order to trade him.

So it's easy to see why Atlanta is labeled as a long shot amid the talks, but there's little doubt he's exactly the type of player the club needs with its NL East rivals preparing to make a serious run.

Nolan Arenado may be on his way out of Colorado.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Thursday that the St. Louis Cardinals are "in discussions with the Rockies" about the third baseman, though "no deal appears close." 

The 29-year-old is entering his ninth year in the league, but he is doing so off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2013. Still, he spent almost the entirety of the year playing through a shoulder injury sustained in his fifth game.  

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported earlier Thursday that the Rockies were open to offers for Arenado. 

The eight-time Gold Glove winner followed up his fifth consecutive All-Star campaign by hitting .253/.303/.434 in the pandemic-shortened season. In 2019, he posted a career-high .315 batting average with 118 RBI and 41 home runs, one shy of his career high. 

Ahead of that 2019 campaign, Arenado inked the largest deal in Rockies history when he signed an eight-year, $260 million extension, but shortly after doing so he became disgruntled with general manager Jeff Bridich. According to Rosenthal, Arenado became frustrated throughout the 2019 season, and after public feuding, said his GM was "very disrespectful." 

The Cardinals had veteran Matt Carpenter and Tommy Edman split time at third base in 2020, though Arenado would certainly be an offensive upgrade over either. Edman hit .250 with 26 RBI through 55 games last season, his second in the majors, while the 35-year-old Carpenter slashed a dismal .186/.325/.314 in 50 appearances. 

While Nolan Arenado is widely expected to stay in Colorado, multiple teams have reportedly considered pulling off a complicated three-way trade for the third baseman.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Monday that "several" teams have considered being a "way station" for Arenado.

"Here's how it would work: The team would take a player it believes has an onerous contract and deal him to the Rockies for Arenado. The team that acquires Arenado then would flip him—and cash from what it saved by ridding itself of the bad deal—to a third team for prospects," Passan wrote. 

Arenado has six years and $199 million remaining on his contract, making him nearly impossible to trade during an offseason where teams have been penny-pinching amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His surprising regression in 2020 also plays a factor in teams being unwilling to pay more than $33 million per year for a distressed asset.

The overwhelming odds are that Arenado returns to form in 2021. His 48-game sample last season amounts to an extended slump, which could have easily been course-corrected over a typical campaign. He doesn't turn 30 until April and is coming off an eighth-straight Gold Glove. He's still really good, even in non-MVP-caliber seasons.

The Rockies remain interested in moving Arenado in large part because they have no immediate avenue to contention and will likely struggle to compete in the NL West for at least a couple seasons. Paying Arenado limits their flexibility elsewhere on the roster, and they might benefit from shoring up their farm system if a team decides to go all in. 

If the New York Mets want to make a splash in the trade market, the Colorado Rockies are reportedly ready and willing to speak with them about Nolan Arenado.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi (h/t Danny Abriano of SNY.tv), the Rockies "want to engage with" the Mets about the five-time All-Star. 

Arenado's long-term future with the Rockies has been cloudy for some time. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported in January that the 29-year-old was unhappy with the team's inactivity in free agency after they finished 71-91 in 2019. 

"There's a lot of disrespect from people there that I don't want to be a part of," Arenado told MLB.com's Thomas Harding in a text message. "You can quote that."

Arenado is entering the second season of an eight-year, $260 million extension he signed in February 2019. The deal includes an opt-out after the 2022 season. 

The Mets could be a potentially hot destination for players this offseason. New team owner Steve Cohen has made it clear he wants to spend money on his roster and hopes to win a World Series within three to five years.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Fox Sports, James McCann is "closing in" on a four-year, $40 million deal with the Mets. 

A potential Arenado deal would cost New York a lot more than that in terms of money and prospects. He's proved himself to be worth a significant cost as arguably the most complete third baseman in Major League Baseball. The California native has won eight straight Gold Glove awards and has a .293/.349/.541 slash line in 1,079 career games with the Rockies. 

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said Tuesday he's unsure what the future holds with a decision looming about whether to opt out of the rest of his eight-year, $260 million contract he signed in 2019 after the 2021 MLB season. 

"I don't know what's gonna happen," Arenado told ESPN's Karl Ravech. "I think this year will be interesting. I'm hopeful that wherever—I wanna play for a winner. If that's in Colorado, that's great. And, at the end of the day, that's what it's all about: I just wanna win."

Arenado has been a foundational piece for the Rockies since he made his debut in 2013. He ranks fourth among all third basemen in WAR (32.2) over the past eight years, per FanGraphs.

The 29-year-old California native is also one of the league's best defenders having just won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award.

Colorado hasn't been able to build a consistent winner around him, though. It's reached the playoffs just twice during his career and hasn't advanced beyond the Division Series.

The Rockies posted a 26-34 record during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign. Their minus-78 run differential was the second-worst mark in the National League ahead of only the Pittsburgh Pirates (-79).

Barring a couple of blockbuster offseason moves, they'll likely enter next season well behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the projected NL West standings. That still leaves a path to the postseason, but it looks like a narrow one on paper.

The other factor is the uncertain economics of the eventual post-COVID-19 world in MLB. This winter may provide some hints about whether free agents are taking a major hit in the size of contracts they receive, which Arenado will have to consider with five years and $164 million left on his deal after 2021.

That said, if the five-time All-Star's main focus is winning, Colorado will be a tough sell.

The reigning champion Dodgers aren't going anywhere in the immediate future and the Padres are a team on the rise after their impressive breakout in 2020. There would be a lot of clubs that would love the third baseman's all-around ability that could provide him with a better chance to chase a title.

At minimum, Arenado's comments put additional pressure on the Rockies' front office to make some moves to alter the team's short-term outlook.

The Colorado Rockies announced third baseman Nolan Arenado was placed on the 10-day injured list with left AC joint inflammation and a left shoulder bone bruise.

The stint is retroactive to Sunday.

The 29-year-old has been one of the most durable players in Major League Baseball of late and appeared in 155 or more games every season from 2015 through 2019.

Scoring runs is rarely a problem in Colorado, but the absence of Arenado leaves a significant void for Rockies manager Bud Black to fill. He led the National League in RBI in 2015 and 2016, and he led or tied for the league lead in homers three times since 2015. He also led the NL in doubles in 2017. 

Last season, Arenado continued his offensive tear with a robust .315/.379/.583 slash line with 41 homers and 118 RBI in 155 games. He has a .253/.303/.434 slash line through 48 games in 2020. 

Arenado has been one of the best players in Major League Baseball since 2015. The California native has won the Gold Glove in each of his seven seasons. 

The Rockies rewarded his efforts in February 2019 with an eight-year contract extension worth $260 million.

Without their franchise player available, the Rockies will likely insert Ryan McMahon or Garrett Hampson into the lineup at the hot corner.