Should Rockies trade star third baseman Arenado during the offseason?

Kiz: Where did the Rocktober magic go? After 162 games and six months of good vibrations, Colorado’s playoff run ended abruptly with a single game at Coors Field as the fans booed their local heroes. The crowd even booed Nolan Arenado, who hit .188 in four postseason games. This is a team with a bright future. But should Arenado be part of it? He’s on schedule to be a free agent after next season. So would it be wise to trade Arenado this winter? Saunders: Kiz, this is a tough question for me, so imagine how difficult it is for general manager Jeff Bridich and for Arenado. I think the Rockies need to do everything they can — within reason — to sign Arenado to a longterm deal. He’s a onceinageneration player, and the Rockies need his platinum glove and his power. This team is already losing a lot of its core, most notably second baseman DJ LeMahieu, so I don’t think it can afford to lose Arenado, too. If the future is bright, Arenado needs to be a part of it. Don’t trade him. Kiz: The Rockies need more than one missing piece before they can be considered legitimate contenders to win the World Series. But it’s hard to envision Colorado closer to the first division title in franchise history without Arenado’s glove at third base and his bat in the lineup. I’m not against exploring a blockbuster trade. But tell me: With Arenado entering the final year of his contract, how likely would it be for the Rockies to get an elite player back in trade?

I can’t help but think back to 2008 when the Rockies couldn’t reach a deal with Matt Holliday, so they traded him to Oakland in exchange for closer Huston Street, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and pitcher Greg Smith. It turned out to be a very good deal for Colorado. But I think a trade for Arenado would have to bring back an even bigger haul. In my mind, trading Arenado would have to include a frontoftherotation starting pitcher, as well as a good bat and some hot prospects. I don’t think that’s very likely to happen. Kiz: If the Rockies are unable to work out a contract extension with Arenado, the questions regarding his future will linger over the Colorado clubhouse throughout 2019, whether or not he wants to talk about it. But I also think Arenado is allin whenever he takes the field. So I’m adamantly against the Rockies trading Arenado now for anything less than 100 cents on the dollar, even if they risk losing him for nothing 12 months down the road. Am I nuts?

Nope, you are right on the money. The Rockies’ window to win is still very much open, and Arenado needs to be a part of it. However, if the team is clearly out the race by midsummer and Arenado has not been resigned, than you have to trade him. Here is my proposal: Make Arenado a goodfaith offer on a fiveyear deal worth about $150 million. No 10year deals, but perhaps include an “optout” clause of some sort. If Arenado truly wants to stay in Colorado, he’s going to take a hard look at the offer. If he balks, I think that would be an indication that he wants to play somewhere else. But at least the Rockies would have tried to hold on to a player who’s on track for the Hall of Fame.