ST. LOUIS – The Cardinals ‘long-standing interest in Nolan Arenado, the Rockies’ third baseman, has made significant strides in the past 24 hours and could be on its way to being finalized in the near future. The MLB network insider, Ken Rosenthal, reported on Friday evening that the Cardinals had approved the takeover
ST. LOUIS – The Cardinals’ longstanding interest in Rockies Third Baseman
MLB Network Insider Ken Rosenthal reported Friday night, the Cardinals agreed to acquire Arenado from the Rocky Mountains as part of a deal that would involve cash and multiple players. Two major league sources told MLB.com that nothing was final, and one source told MLB.com’s Mark Feins that a deal may not close before the end of the weekend as some issues have yet to be addressed The trade can be made officially.
The Rockies’ $ 50 million borrowing to repay Arenado’s contract – an amount believed to depend on whether or not he opts out – would require Major League Baseball approval while the contract was being forbidden Paying him $ 199 million in six seasons must be approved by the MLB Players Association.
Arenado is expected to waive its no-trade clause, but it remains to be seen what will be done regarding the third baseman’s opt-out, which will allow them to become a free agent at the end of the 2021 season will. Rosenthal citing sources, reported If the trade is “complete, Arenado will maintain its opt-out after 2021, receive an additional opt-out after 2022, and maintain its full no-trade clause.” Any adjustment to the opt-out that would invalidate the contract would have to be given a thumbs-up by the union.
Arenado signed an eight-year $ 260 million deal with the Rockies ahead of the 2019 season. He wants to make $ 35 million a year from 2021 to 24, then $ 32 million in 25 and $ 27 million in 26.
In addition to the money that covers part of Arenado’s remaining contract, the Rockies would also receive multiple players. Although the names have not yet been finalized, Rosenthal listed three potential players en route to Colorado: left-handed Austin Gomber, who promoted the cards in 2018 and 2020; Outfielder Jhon Torres, number 9 on the MLB Pipeline; and First Baseman Hatches Baker, the No. 23 prospect of the cards. Rosenthal also speculated that Angel Rondón, a number 13 right-handed player, and Jake Woodford, who made his debut with the Majors in 2020 (1-0, 5.57 in 12 games / one start), had the chance.
News of a deal comes the same day the Cardinals finalized terms with starter Adam Wainwright, who signed a one-year deal for 2021 on Friday. The cardinals also have an offer to veteran catcher Yadier Molina, who has expressed his preference to return to the cardinals and sign somewhere in the coming days.
The 29-year-old Arenado has won a gold glove in each of his eight seasons with the Rockies and has been named an NL All-Star five times. He signed his renewal in February 2019, but the team struggled out of goal that season, frustrating Arenado and creating a way for a deal to St. Louis, a club that has been interested in the elite infielder for nearly two years.
In Arenado, the Cardinals would receive an infield addition to Paul Goldschmidt, another veteran slugger that they acquired through retailers in 2018. They also get an instant boost to their offense, the one aspect of their game that has struggled for the past two years. Arenado missed the 2020 time with A / C joint pain in his left shoulder, hitting a career low of 0.253 with eight homers, but that led to a career best of 0.315 with 41 homers and 118 RBIs in 2019.
That deal would be by far the largest acquisition by a National League Central team this off-season and would make the Cardinals clear favorites to win the division. The Cubs reportedly agreed to a deal with outfielder Joc Pederson on Friday, but only after sending starter Yu Darvish to the Padres, widening the gap between the two best NL West teams – the Padres and Dodgers – and the rest of the USA enlarges this division, including the Rocky Mountains.
The Cardinals and Rockies have a limited trading history, but two notable deals stand out: in 1999 the Rockies traded pitcher Darryl Kile for the Cardinals, and in 2004 the Rockies traded future Hall of Famer Larry Walker for St. Louis, a deal that helped the Cardinals to the World Series.
Now Arenado is likely on its way to that list.
