Based solely on his career trajectory up to this point, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is probably on pace for a Hall of Fame career.

A five-time All-Star with a .293/.349/.541 line, 235 home runs, four consecutive 5+ fWAR seasons (2016 through 2019), and eight Gold Glove Awards before his 30th birthday is a franchise pillar, and the Rockies rewarded him as such with an eight-year, $260 million contract extension ahead of the 2019 season.

Now, as Colorado downshifts into a more frugal business model — as maligned owner Dick Monfort intimated to season ticket holders in October — the Rockies are faced with some tough decisions regarding their superstar at the hot corner and the future of their franchise.

Rox shortstop Trevor Story, 27 and a free agent after the 2021 season, is a player the Rockies would presumably like to lock up long-term. And with the league’s financials in dire straits virtually across the board, it’s more than likely Colorado will have to pick a cornerstone to move forward with.

That’s where the Mets come in. With a new owner in Steve Cohen — and without the financial restrictions that were the unofficial hallmark of the Wilpon era — if New York was so inclined to install Arenado at third base through the completion of his contract in 2026, they could.

Sure, a $35 million per year commitment through 2024 with another two seasons at $32 million and $27 million — through the player’s 35-year-old season — is a hefty investment, but for a player of Arenado’s stature, it could be worth every penny.

This truly is the beauty of Cohen entering the picture. If the Mets see a player as someone who can help them come that much closer to a World Series title, they can simply make the move now.

A bit blown away typing that, to be honest. Back to the story…

The Mets are clearly not comfortable with J.D. Davis‘ defense at third base, as evidenced by their acquisition of Todd Frazier at the trade deadline last August.

Other than Jeff McNeil, who provides solid defense wherever he plays, Luis Guillorme, ditto, and Triple-A third-bagger Will Toffey — acquired in the Jeurys Familia deal with Oakland in 2018 — the Mets don’t have another playable third baseman at the moment.

Wonder what Jed Lowrie’s doing? Just kidding.

Moving forward this offseason, tough decisions will have to be made. There are more than a few logjams on the Mets roster and a handful of players with no true position.

Those facts and the potential loss of the designated hitter in the National League for 2021, mean this offseason could include some considerable turnover in Queens, mostly via trade.

But just as Francisco Lindor is a player you make risky moves for if he’s available, so is Nolan Arenado. They’d just have to entice Colorado with a return package worthy of dealing arguably the best third baseman of his generation.

Davis is certainly on the table. It’s more than possible Dominic Smith draws interest from around the league, though most Mets fans want Dom in Queens for the foreseeable future. Even Amed Rosario, who took a sharp downturn in 2020, is still young enough with a high enough ceiling to pique interest somewhere.

Brandon Nimmo — whose on-base proficiency fits this team’s offensive identity so well, earning him the status of Flushing mainstay in recent years — could very well be the centerpiece to get the Rockies’ attention.

A Wyoming native, Nimmo grew up a Rockies fan. Hometown (sorta) kid is always a great selling point to a disenfranchised fan base. We would know (hope you’re well, Mike Baxter).

Nimmo’s .397 on-base percentage and 15.7% walk rate since 2018 rank eighth and seventh in the majors, respectively over that span. We’re all very familiar with what Brandon Nimmo brings to the table.

Yes, giving up Nimmo would be a kick in the gut for a Mets fan base that’s come to adore him as a player. But landing Nolan Arenado for a package centered around him would be a coup.

And if it did come to fruition, Steve Cohen, Sandy Alderson, and whoever makes up the rest of the Mets’ front office can just sign George Springer to play left and Jackie Bradley Jr. to play center (tongue-in-cheek, but not really?).

Though, how likely it is that Colorado takes back a player in Nimmo, two seasons from free agency, is debatable. A boatload of prospects with an MLB-ready guy or two could be the more attractive package for the Rockies.

While Andres Gimenez and Ronny Mauricio might not fit Colorado’s needs — Story seems entrenched at shortstop in Denver — the Mets have drafted very well in recent years and have a number of alluring ballplayers dotted throughout their system.

Parting with a few to secure a player of Arenado’s ilk through his prime years seems like a worthy sacrifice to make. It all depends on what the Rockies want. And in scenarios like this, you simply give Colorado what they want.

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