Offense has always been the name of the game for the Colorado Rockies, and here in 2016, third baseman Nolan Arenado is leading the way for them. Arenado was the Rockies second-round pick in 2009, and by 2013, he was ready for his debut with the big club. As a rookie, Arenado batted .267 with 10 home runs and 52 runs batted in as he finished seventh in the National League’s Rookie of the Year voting. Last year would see Arenado come into his own as he made his first All-Star Game appearance as he led the N.L. in home runs (42), and runs batted in (130). And Arenado has picked up here in 2016 right where he left off from as he has launched 22 home runs which are second in N.L., while his 66 runs batted in are leading the way on the Senior Circuit as he is doing it with ease. Arenado is on pace for his second consecutive 40-homer campaign, and although that the Rockies currently are not a contender in the N.L. West, he is still becoming a household name.
Most of the discussion at the start of the 2016 Major League Baseball season about the Rockies revolved around rookie shortstop Trevor Story and rightfully so as he was hitting home runs at a torrid pace. But Arenado was right there with him as for the month of April, he had 10 home runs to go along with 22 runs batted in. And when you think about the top third basemen that are currently in Major League Baseball, the names of Toronto Blue third baseman Josh Donaldson, Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, and Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria are in the mix with Arenado right there with them. But it isn’t just Arenado’s bat that makes him one of the the best players in baseball.
In each of Arenado’s three seasons with the Rockies, he has won the National League’s Gold Glove Award as the top defensive third baseman on the Senior Circuit as he makes the impossible play look possible at the hot corner. But as good as Arenado is, there is also the business side of baseball that must be dealt with.
At the conclusion of this season, Arenado is scheduled to go through his first round of arbitration which is the precursor for free agency. As of right now Arenado isn’t scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, and there is already a growing buzz of big market teams that would be lining up for his services. However I don’t see a scenario where that would happen as the Rockies would be foolish to not lock Arenado up with a long-term extension between now and 2019 as we’ve seen them do it in the past with outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and former shortstop Troy Tulowitzki who was the face of the franchise before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
But if the Rockies were inclined to trade Arenado, a trade would bring back a wealth of talent; especially in the form of pitching which has handicapped Colorado from being a consistent contender since their first year in existence in 1993. However at the present moment it is simply best to sit back and watch was Arenado is doing as he has rapidly become one of the best in the business.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
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