The Colorado Rockies just completed the first season of an eight-year, $260 million contract extension Nolan Arenado signed, and already there are rumblings the All-Star third baseman potentially could be on the move.
A trade is not considered imminent — or even likely — but the Rockies at least appear willing to field calls and gauge interest in their franchise cornerstone. Of course, it could be nothing more than due diligence.
“I would say not very serious,” manager Bud Black recently said of the Rockies listening on Arenado trade interest. “I think it’s common practice, especially here in the Winter Meetings or even during the course of the year.
“I’ve been around long enough to know when you’re talking about great players, right, GMs will talk to each other and say, ‘Hey, if you’re ever thinking about doing anything with so and so, we’re in line. Give us a call.’ I think that’s sorta what’s happened here.
“This venue is a natural place for a lot of baseball talk and rumors, for lack of a better word. There is a lot of creativity amongst general managers in this day and age and names are bandied about because we’re all in this environment together.”
While the Los Angeles Dodgers are presumed to be among the teams interested in Arenado, some within the organization doubt the Rockies would be willing to trade within the National League West, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Both the Cardinals and Dodgers have a longstanding interest in Arenado, though Dodgers officials believe there is little chance the Rockies would trade him within the division.
Arenado’s contract includes the option to opt out after the 2021 season and a full no-trade clause. At the time of inking the deal he spoke positively about his future with the Rockies, but during the year expressed some frustration.
Rockies owner Dick Monfort indicated the club is unlikely to make any financial commitments this winter. That figures to place further strain on a team that went 71-91 and finished in fourth place in the NL West.
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