ARENADO OPTIMISTIC MLB WILL HAVE SEASON
Star third baseman optimistic that owners, players can work out a deal
Major League Baseball’s plan to begin its truncated season July 4 is far from a done deal, but Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado is hopeful that sticky problems — including bridging the financial chasm between the owners and players — can be worked out.
Mostly, Arenado wants to start playing baseball again.
Arenado chatted with The Denver
Post Tuesday from his home in Orange County, Calif., and talked about pitcher Blake Snell’s controversial comments, his own preparedness for a possible season and his appreciation for Michael Jordan’s magic.
Q: Are you optimistic or pessimistic that MLB will hold a season in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic?
Arenado: I’m optimistic. I believe there is a deal to get done, no doubt. I know I want to play and I know there are a lot of other players that want to
play also. I hope it works out.
Q: There are a lot of details and strict rules in the first draft of MLB’s 67-page safety plan. Included in the proposal are plans for extensive testing, as well as social distancing in the clubhouse, dugout and on the road. High-fives, fist bumps, hugging and chewing sunflower seeds and tobacco would be prohibited. Players might even be asked to shower at home or back at their hotel when on the road. What are your initial thoughts on the proposal? Will the rules take the joy out of the game?
Arenado: Well, the proposal is what it is. Maybe there is some tweaking and maybe not. I don’t know. I just know that I want to play, so if that’s what it takes, then I’ll do whatever I have to do.
Q: Last week, Snell, the Tampa Bay Rays all-star pitcher, said he will not pitch this year if his pay is cut further, saying: “I’m not playing unless I get
mine.” His comments caused a heated debate.
“I’m not splitting no revenue. I want all mine,” the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner said on a Twitch stream. “Bro, y’all got to understand, too, because y’all going to be like: ‘Bro, play for the love of the game. Man, what’s wrong with you, bro? Money should not be a thing.’ Bro, I’m risking my life. What do you mean, ‘It should not be a thing?’ It 100 percent should be a thing.”
What are your thoughts about what he said?
Arenado: I believe he wants to play like the rest of us. I think some people are getting
(things) twisted. We understand we aren’t getting our full contracts (for the season) but that the contracts will be prorated. That’s what we agreed upon, so we know it won’t be the full deal. And that’s OK. These are some sad times and we would like to bring joy by playing again for the people.
Note: As part of the March 26 agreement between MLB and the players’ association, the deal calls for players to receive prorated shares of salary if the season is started. So, if the season were 82 games long, for instance, the players would get about half of their salaries. Now, however, teams say they would lose a lot of money if games are played in empty ballparks, and owners recently approved making a proposal to the union to base salaries on a 50-50 split of revenue for this season. The players’ union says the concept amounts to a salary cap, which players have long voted never to accept.
Q: For those fans who are saying that the players are greedy if they don’t come to an agreement with MLB, what would you say?
Arenado: They can have their opinion, that’s all right. I would want them to know that we aren’t making our full contracts. We get that this year there are bigger issues in our country, and that’s why we agreed upon the prorated deal. Now we are ready to play. We are waiting.
Q: What kind of shape are you in now?
Arenado: I’m in game shape, no question. I’ve been ready to go, running a lot, lifting, hitting, taking groundballs, (working on) agility. I’m ready to go physically and mentally. I just need to get my timing down on pitchers. That’s it.
Q: How much time would it take for you to be “game ready?”
Arenado: I just need at-bats, that’s it. I’m ready. I’ve been focusing on staying ready so when this happens my body isn’t in shock.
Q: I assume you watched “The Last Dance,” ESPN’s documentary on Jordan. Give us your review.
Arenado: It’s the best sports documentary I’ve ever seen. It was amazing. He’s the ultimate competitor. Winning was his main focus and MJ did his part. I loved that. I loved that it’s about winning championships.
Q: Without comparing yourself to Jordan, can you relate to him in some ways?
Arenado: Well, I’m not at his level of greatness. But I do appreciate the care of wanting to be good. Constantly. There are a lot of things I took out of it that I will keep to myself because I want to keep that private. But one thing I do understand is not letting anybody down — teammates, family, fans.