According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Dodgers have interest in trading for Rockies’ star third baseman Nolan Arenado. Morosi notes that the Dodgers have coveted Arenado for awhile, the Rockies are looking to cut payroll, and Justin Turner is a free agent.
Arenado, 29, struggled in 2020 with a .253/.304/.434 slash line and eight home runs in 48 games for Colorado. He was still terrific defensively though, with 15 defensive runs saved that led to him winning his eighth straight Gold Glove award.
The right-handed hitter has been good in his career offensively, with a 120 OPS+ in eight seasons and an OPS of at least 115 from 2014 through 2019. His best overall year came in 2019, when he put up a 6.7 bWAR. This is a player that averaged 6.3 bWAR per season from 2015 through 2019.
The contract for Arenado is where things get interesting, because he can opt out after the 2021 season. He is scheduled to make $35 million per season through the 2024 season, then $32 million in 2025, and $27 million in 2026.
Morosi also notes that Arenado has a no-trade clause, and with that he can chose to move back his opt-out if he decides to accept a trade. The California native did grow up a Dodgers fan.
Our own Tim Ryder recently took a look at the possibilities of the Mets going after Arenado – and that was before finding out that Robinson Cano was gone for the entire 2021 season due to suspension.
