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Dodgers: Rockies’ return in Nolan Arenado trade is embarrassing

ByAdam Weinrib|
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies reacts while walking back to the dugout after lining out during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Coors Field on September 16, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies reacts while walking back to the dugout after lining out during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Coors Field on September 16, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Rockies gave Nolan Arenado away to the Cardinals for free. The Dodgers come up empty. Hate this sport.

It’s probably time for the Colorado Rockies to fold their franchise, by our estimation.

On Friday night, the Rox acquiesced to the trade demands of their latest in a long line of frustrated superstars — and that environment must be really toxic for an offensive player to get tired of playing in Colorado.

Unfortunately for the Rockies, they either overplayed or underplayed their hand, or simply couldn’t figure out how to navigate through Nolan Arenado’s opt-outs.

We wish Colorado had reconsidered and offered their All-Star third baseman to the Dodgers as we believe he wished, because even at a slight incline from the price St. Louis appears ready to pay, we would’ve accepted the NL West Tax and finished the deal.

Yes, Arenado definitely lessened the load by himself here, refusing to let go of his opt-out following the 2021 season (and 2022).

The Cardinals objectively made out like bandits either way, though, receiving $50 million in the deal and surrendering less than we expect it would take, in a normal scenario, to acquire Arenado for even one season. Per MLB Pipeline, Torres is St. Louis’ No. 9 prospect, Baker is a 23-year-old tweener who ranks No. 23, and Gomber is a big-leaguer who posted a 1.86 ERA in 14 appearances last year, mostly out of the bullpen. Yay?

The equivalent Dodgers trade would’ve been, say, Victor Gonzalez, No. 10 prospect Jacob Amaya, No. 19 prospect Devin Mann? We’d even throw in Michael Busch, if the Rockies wanted to be sticklers about dealing their prize in-division.

Nope. Instead, they opted for the subpar return of all subpar returns, and have in turn created a new rival for NL supremacy for Los Angeles. Couldn’t have happened to a better fan base, too.

What do Dodgers fans have to root for now? An exceptional year for Arenado in St. Louis that falls just short of glory, followed by the opt out of all opt outs and a sweet six-year deal in Hollywood.

The Rockies were never trading him here. But thanks to some chicanery, he could sign here of his own volition. Not awful.

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