Did Nolan Arenado betray Rockies’ fans, franchise by wanting out?
Q: I am not very aligned with most fans on the Nolan Arenado trade. He was with the club for more than eight years. Before his deal, the organization’s plan for the future was shared with him. He knew what he was in for and made an agreement just as much as the Rockies did. It is not reported on much but Arenado asked for a trade after the 2019 season, one year into his new deal!
His bad attitude carried through the clubhouse last year and was a weight on the team. It was publicly shared the team would not go after new free agents until the new TV contract kicked in. What was he expecting after one year when he especially tanked in the July 2019 run up to the trade deadline? Management is not doing everything right, but they didn’t want to trade him. Arenado backed out on the deal.
I understand the casual sports fan sees this as ownership wanting to put money in their pockets because they have no understanding of how the game works (or doesn’t work) these days. But how can no local sports journalists even approach this separation from the other side? Not asking to defend management, but Arenado is not innocent in this. He broke a deal with the team and with the fans.
— Bob, Salt Lake City
Patrick: Bob, I don’t agree with everything you wrote, by any means, but there are a number of fans who have expressed sentiments similar to yours. So I’m running your opinion in full.
Here is my take:
• It’s difficult to report on the Rockies’ side of things because general manager Jeff Bridich essentially has no relationship with the media. We’ve asked for his point of view on Arenado and he has declined to comment.
• According to the many people I’ve talked to, including Arenado, his relationship with the front office deteriorated because he believes he was told that the Rockies would try to build a winner and he didn’t think they were going in that direction. Second, things got very personal between Arenado and Bridich, with Arenado’s “disrespect” comment coming, in part, because Bridich questioned Arenado’s relationship to his teammates, as well as Arenado’s leadership skills.
• I think it’s clear that Arenado wanted out of Colorado, even though he never came out and said it directly.
• As for Arenado “not being innocent,” it’s my opinion that he probably wishes he had handled things differently, at least in public. As I said, that’s my opinion.
• He didn’t “back out” of the deal. Arenado might have forced the Rockies’ hand, but it was ultimately the team’s decision to trade him. Would Arenado have taken the opt out after 2021? He admitted that he wasn’t sure.
Q: Would you please follow how the Cardinals players received in the Nolan Arenado trade fare? I would greatly enjoy a careful analysis of how well the Rockies did in this trade at one year and again at two years. It would be very interesting. Thank you.
— Mike Oldham, Franktown
Patrick: Mike, I’m sure a lot of writers will be doing that over the next few years. It’s likely going to be a while before we know much about four of the five players the Rockies received for Arenado (and $51 million).
I saw lefty Austin Gomber pitch on Sunday, albeit for only two innings, but he looked good. Time will tell.
I’ll keep an eye out for the others: infielders Mateo Gil and Elehuris Montero, and right-handers Tony Locey and Jake Sommers.