MLB Rumors: Nolan Arenado Trade Seems Likely In 2020 Because Of Colorado Rockies' Roster, Contract

Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said he expects Nolan Arenado to start the 2020 MLB season with the team, but trade rumors involving the star might only increase in the coming days and weeks. A break up between the Rockies and their best player is beginning to seem unavoidable.

Bridich told The Denver Post Monday that nothing has come of trade discussions with other teams and that Colorado is moving forward with Arenado on the roster. The veteran responded by telling multiple media outlets that the organization was disrespectful in the way it handled the situation.

“There’s a lot of disrespect from people there that I don’t want to be a part of,” Arenado told MLB.com. “You can quote that.”

“Jeff is very disrespectful. I never talk trash or anything,” Arenado said to Denver7. “I play hard, keep my mouth shut. But I can only get crossed so many times.”

Arenado’s reaction doesn’t necessarily mean the Rockies will work harder to move him, though a trade would probably be best for both sides. The seven-time Gold Glove winner has seven years and $234 million left on his contract, but he can opt-out of the deal and become a free agent after the 2021 season.

Arenado’s frustration appears to stem from Colorado’s inability—or unwillingness—to improve the team. The Rockies haven’t signed one free agent to a major-league contract this offseason.

Colorado has spent more money than most with a projected 2020 payroll north of $173 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, which puts the Rockies 10th among MLB teams and well above the league average. The organization has not made any additions, either through free agency or trades, after going 71-91 in the 2019 season.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted last week that an Arenado trade felt “inevitable” by the July 31 trade deadline. Other MLB insiders have expressed a similar sentiment in the wake of Arenado’s latest comments.

The St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves have all been linked to Arenado. Colorado’s asking price is so high that one general manager told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that he doesn’t believe the Rockies really want to trade the five-time All-Star.

Between Arenado’s discontent with the organization and his possible free agency after two more seasons, Colorado might have little choice but to move on from the face of the franchise.

Parallels have been drawn between Arenado this year and Giancarlo Stanton following the 2017 season. Stanton owned the sport’s most lucrative contract, coming off an MVP campaign. The Miami Marlins eventually sent Stanton to the New York Yankees after multiple failed attempts to deal him elsewhere for the best package possible.

The Rockies traded Troy Tulowitzki during the 2015 season. The shortstop made four All-Star teams over a six-year span with Colorado before being dealt along with his expensive contract to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Arenado has arguably been the NL’s best player over the last five seasons, never finishing worse than eighth in the MVP voting. His average stat line during that span is 40 home runs, 124 RBI and a .937 OPS.

Colorado has averaged 78 wins over the last five seasons, earning two wild-card berths and failing to win a game in the NLDS.