The first several weeks of the offseason were dominated by Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, but after each signed during the Winter Meetings, now the focus has shifted to the trade market.
That has entailed plenty of speculation involving Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox, along with Mike Clevinger, Francisco Lindor and the Cleveland Indians. The Los Angeles Dodgers, determined to add elite talent to their roster, have been connected to both trade scenarios.
More recently, however, intrigue has gone to the Colorado Rockies and their reported consideration of a Nolan Arenado trade. The All-Star third baseman is a franchise cornerstone and just committed to Colorado on an eight-year, $260 million contract extension last February.
Despite Rockies manager Bud Black insisting trade speculation was largely unfounded, the team reportedly is still considering moving Arenado. However, a trade with the Dodgers or any other National League West team still isn’t viewed as a likely result, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
Sources: Nolan Arenado has roughly a 50/50 chance of being traded, with a half-dozen teams having checked in, as I just reported on @MLBNetwork. The #Dodgers are *not* the most likely destination, as #Rockies prefer not to trade Arenado in the division. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 2, 2020
Although the Dodgers have long had interest in Arenado, some within the organization recognize the uphill battle they face in completing a trade with the Rockies.
While L.A. remained under the luxury tax threshold for the past two seasons and ultimately aggressively pursued Cole, it’s widely believed the front office had been preparing to make a lucrative offer to Arenado.
His contract includes the option to opt out after the 2021 season and a full no-trade clause. At the time of signing the deal Arenado spoke positively about his future with the Rockies, but during the 2019 expressed some frustration as they struggled to remain competitive.
Colorado would potentially face criticism for trading Arenado, but a significant return could ease the scrutiny. Of course, unlike with Betts reaching free agency next year, the Rockies aren’t yet facing heightened pressure to make a decision.
“I’ve been around long enough to know when you’re talking about great players, 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,” Black recently said.
“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.”
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