The Los Angeles Dodgers just won their seventh World Series Championship in franchise history and the first since 1988. Now, they are looking past that and deciding how they will win the next one.
Every offseason it seems as if the Los Angeles Dodgers have their eyes set on a new prize. That new prize is Colorado Rockies third baseman, Nolan Arenado.
Nolan Arenado is one of the top players in all of baseball. He is consistently a threat at the plate with his power bat and he plays amazing Gold Glove caliber defense at third base. He has been consistently good each season since his rookie season in 2013. Since then he has 1206 hits, 235 Home Runs, 760 RBIs and a .293 Batting Average.
His trophy collection is growing as each season passes and lets list all of his impressive accomplishments so far:
- 5X All Star (2015-2019)
- 4X Silver Slugger (2015-2018)
- 8X Gold Glove (2013-2020)
- 4X NL Platinum Glove (2017-2020)
- 3X Wilson Defensive Player of the Year (2015-2017)
All of those impressive career accomplishments earned him an 8 year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies that he signed before the 2019 season. Included in that deal is an opt-out after the 2021 season which most executives and experts believe he will exercise if he is not traded during this offseason. Arenado also has a no trade clause in his contract but experts believe he will waive that to go to a contender.
Arenado, 29, is a Newport Beach, California native and grew up as a Dodger fan. Playing with the Rockies in the NL West, he has seen his fair share of the Dodgers and he knows just how good the Dodgers have become. With the acquisition and signing of Mookie Betts and the subsequent World Series victory, Nolan Arenado may be looking for a new home.
That home should be the Los Angeles Dodgers. Justin Turner is a soon to be 36 year old free agent and with the uncertainty of a universal DH being available in 2021, the Dodgers have to keep their options open. Turner is one of the heart and souls of the Dodgers and should be treated with respect. However, when you compare Turner and Arenado at this moment, Arenado HAS to be the clear favorite for the Dodgers.
There are some complications in the trade that should be discussed: Who is getting traded to the Rockies for Arenado and will Arenado restructure his deal with the Dodgers and give them clarity on whether he will want to stay a Dodger till the end of the contract?
Arenado’s contract is not as ridiculous as some contracts but it is still hefty. The Rockies, without fan attendance this year have suffered great financial losses like everyone in 2020. They will not be able to afford Arenado’s deal with Trevor Story becoming a free agent after next season as well. The Rockies should trade Arenado and take what they can get for him while the demand is high.
The Dodgers trade package should include any combination of Gavin Lux, Keibert Ruiz or Tony Gonsolin as the headliners. Then throw in Cody Thomas or possibly DJ Peters. These prospects aren’t going to be helping the major league club anytime soon and should have a chance to play full time somewhere else. That somewhere else should be in Colorado.
This trade is very reminiscent of the Mookie Betts trade from earlier this year. The Red Sox had to move Betts and had to take what they could get for him. Of course the Dodgers gave up Alex Verdugo but took on roughly $80 million in salary between Betts and David Price. With Nolan Arenado’s contract, the Dodgers would be taking on roughly $200 million in salary which ultimately lowers the asking price of the Rockies, if they decide to move Arenado.
If the Dodgers decide to pull this trade off, they will still be a great position. They will be taking on a lot of salary but there will also be roughly $70 million coming off of their payroll after next season. The two biggest expiring contracts will be Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen.
One insider who is close with the Dodgers, Jim Bowden, believes that Nolan Arenado will be a Dodger on Christmas Day. If this is true, it would truly be a Christmas miracle and an amazing treat for Dodger fans worldwide!
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