Colorado Rockies: 3 viable trade options for Nolan Arenado

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Colorado Rockies Third base Nolan Arenado (28) holds a bat in a dugout during a MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 3, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Colorado Rockies Third base Nolan Arenado (28) holds a bat in a dugout during a MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 3, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies are considering trading All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. Here are the three most viable places where he could land.

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado reportedly has a 50/50 chance of being traded, as six teams have checked in on him. A 50/50 chance is much bigger than I thought that there was for Arenado to get moved, especially because there are so many hurdles to get over for a trade to be completed.

So, let’s get into the three most viable trade destinations in no particular order for arguably the best third baseman in the game:

. . . Los Angeles Dodgers. . team. 71

The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be in on every single star player on the trade market this offseason and it should be the same for Nolan Arenado.

Justin Turner showed his willingness to move away from his current position, third base, if Anthony Rendon were to wind up in a Dodger uniform so he would do the same for Arenado.

Now, the only problem is while the Dodgers will likely give the Rockies a very competitive offer, the Colorado Rockies are not going to want to see Arenado win a World Series in a Dodgers uniform–especially if they don’t get Gavin Lux in return.

J.P. Morosi reported that while Nolan Arenado has a 50/50 chance of being traded, the Dodgers are not the likeliest spot because of the fact that GM Jeff Bridich doesn’t want to trade within the division.

That isn’t to say that the Dodgers wouldn’t be in the running, but if the Colorado Rockies had an offer anywhere near the Dodgers, I am sure they would choose the other team.

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

126. . . . Texas Rangers. . team

The Texas Rangers have reportedly loved Nolan Arenado for years and who wouldn’t. They have missed out on Anthony Rendon and are not one of the teams rumored to have offered Josh Donaldson a 4-year contract worth around $100 million.

So, they have to get creative through the trade route.

And I think that if there was a time to do it, the Rangers should do it now.

Just this winter they have added to their rotation to rival some of the best in the league like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals.

They traded for Corey Kluber a few weeks ago to be at the top of the rotation along with 2019 All-Star Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles behind him.

Joey Gallo should have another powerful year in the middle of the lineup and I would expect him to hit a little better because he shouldn’t have to be worried about playing center field as much this season.

Adding Arenado to the club would add them to the long list of American League teams that are in Wild Card contention: the Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A’s, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and the Minnesota Twins.

Texas would have to deplete the farm system, but with a new stadium built and opening at the start of the season, Nolan Arenado would definitely help the organization put and keep butts in the seats.

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

17. . . . Atlanta Braves. . team

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I think the Atlanta Braves would have the best chance of trading for Nolan Arenado and that is because of their talented farm system. One or a package of Austin Riley (already has reached big leagues), Christian Pache, and Ian Anderson might have to be included in a deal if they want Arenado but as I said they have the pieces to do it.

I also believe that the Braves would benefit the most with Arenado out of the three teams I am going through. The Dodgers already have so much firepower in the lineup so adding Arenado wouldn’t make a huge difference over Justin Turner. The Texas Rangers are not as ready to win as the Braves are in my opinion, especially with three teams (A’s, Astros, and Angels) ahead of them in the division. Atlanta had a very disappointing end to the season but should win the National League East again.

Their rotation is still going to be solid this year with Mike Soroka, Mike Foltynewicz, Max Fried, and Sean Newcomb along with veteran addition Cole Hamels rounding it out.

Here is what the lineup would look like with an Arenado addition:

CF Ronald Acuna Jr.

2B Ozzie Albies

1B Freddie Freeman

3B Nolan Arenado

RF Nick Markakis

LF Adam Duvall

C   Travis d’Arnaud

SS Dansby Swanson

P   Mike Soroka

Next. White Sox lock in another member of the core. dark

I don’t know about you but this is a very strong lineup with a very good ace in the nine spot, and so if GM Alex Anthopolous wants to get past that divisional round, then Nolan Arenado is a viable option.

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