Updated 11:15 EST
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets are not currently one of the teams in the Nolan Arenado sweepstakes. Mets Team President Sandy Alderson has mentioned third base as a position the Mets could upgrade this offseason.
As it stands, J.D. Davis would currently be the Mets starter most days at third base. With Luis Guillorme as another option at the position. The Mets have also signed former Yankees infielder Brandon Drury as depth.
Original Post
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Jon Heyman of MLB Network (separate reports), potential trade partners for Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado are beginning to reveal themselves.
Per Rosenthal late Thursday evening:
“The Cardinals are in discussions with the Rockies about a deal that would bring the five-time All-Star third baseman to St. Louis, according to major-league sources. No deal appears close, and the other players who might be involved are not known.”
Heyman notes the Braves as having “checked in” on Arenado, but concedes Atlanta’s bid is “probably a long shot” considering the astronomic return Colorado is likely seeking for their franchise player and the Rockies’ unwillingness to “eat much money”.
In December, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Rockies were hoping to engage the New York Mets on a potential deal, though no confirmed traction on a deal has been reported since.
Arenado, 29, is entering the third season of an eight-year, $260 million deal he signed with Colorado ahead of the 2019 season. He has an opt-out built into his contract after the 2021 season.
After putting up video game numbers over the better part of five seasons (.300/.362/.575, 199 home runs, 190 doubles, 128 wRC+, 27 fWAR from 2015 through 2019), Arenado experienced a noticeable dip in production last year.
Over 201 plate appearances for the Rockies in 2020, the five-time NL All-Star and eight-time NL Gold Glove Award recipient hit .253/.303/.434 with eight homers and nine doubles (76 wRC+).
Arenado’s stats playing away from hitter-friendly Coors Field in Denver have been a prominent talking point throughout his career (.322/.376/.609, 136 HR, 128 wRC+ at home versus .263/.322/.471, 99 HR, 108 wRC+ on the road).
Since 2002, the Rockies have stored their baseballs in an on-site humidor in an attempt to negate the effect their stadium sitting nearly a mile above sea level does to a well-struck baseball.
Mike Petriello of MLB.com touched on Arenado’s struggles away from home earlier this offseason. Worth a read.
We’ll keep you posted as new information becomes available.
