Colorado Rockies: Three Potential Landing Spots for Nolan Arenado
Top Landing Spots for Nolan Arenado: Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are everyone’s sleeper pick to make some big splashes this offseason. After doing a great job building their young core around the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio, the Blue Jays are looking to take the next step to be able to compete with the Rays and Yankees in the AL East.
After making the expanded playoffs in 2020, there is a clear motivation to add impact pieces through free agency. While their primary needs are both starting and bullpen arms, they have a hole at third base. Guerrero Jr. came up as a their third baseman of the future, but has since migrated to first base. He can still be their answer long-term (especially after dropping 40 LBs this offseason), but if Toronto has an opportunity to keep him at 1B or DH, they will take it.
That’s where Nolan Arenado comes into the conversation. According to Fangraphs, the Blue Jays were the 22nd ranked defense overall. They could certainly use a four-time Platinum Glove winner to man the hot corner. From an offensive perspective, he would give them a bona fide superstar slugger to compliment their rising youngsters. Inserting his bat in the middle of that already-potent lineup will make them one of the most feared offensive juggernauts in the league.
From a financial standpoint, they have the flexibility to inherit Arenado’s contract. They are currently 19th in payroll with about $75 million on the books and $105 million in tax space. It would certainly be a risk given his opt out option, but Arenado might be willing to stay in Toronto if his presence takes their success to the next level.
The question for the Blue Jays is how much are they willing to deplete their farm system. Entering the 2019 season, they had the 5th ranked farm system in all of baseball. However, their top prospects have graduated into everyday starters. Fortunately, they still boast the game’s 7th best farm system and have plenty of assets to flip for a star.
Their top prospect (MLB.com No. 6), Nate Pearson, got a taste of the big leagues in 2020 and is likely off limits. However, they have three other top 100 prospects in SS/OF Austin Martin (16th), SS Jordan Groshans (70th), and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (93rd) to include in a trade for Arenado.
A trade for Arenado would prove the Blue Jays are not messing around. They are still a few quality arms away from being a true contender, but Nolan Arenado would make them a force to be reckoned with in the AL East.