Yankees Favored to Land Arenado If Rockies Deal Star Third-Baseman
By Chris Amberley in MLB Baseball
Updated: April 4, 2020 at 3:01 pm EDTPublished:
- The New York Yankees are the favorites to acquire Nolan Arenado if he’s traded by Colorado
- Arenado can opt out of his contract with the Rockies after the 2021 season
- Which team is the best value to acquire Arenado?
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A big-name star is on the trading block and the New York Yankees are the frontrunners to acquire him.
Nolan Arenado and the Colorado Rockies appear destined for a break-up and New York is his most likely trade destination according to online sportsbooks.
Nolan Arenado’s Team for Game 1 of 2020 Season
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | +300 |
| Atlanta Braves | +400 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +500 |
| Chicago Cubs | +500 |
| Texas Rangers | +600 |
| Houston Astros | +700 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +700 |
| Washington Nationals | +700 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1000 |
All odds taken Jan. 29th.
Arenado signed an 8-year, $260 million extension prior to the 2019 season, but can opt out after the 2021 campaign. Colorado isn’t likely to contend anytime soon and have been reportedly shopping the 5-time all-star this offseason.
Arenado has a full no-trade clause and has been vocal about only wanting to go to a contender. If he’s not traded by Opening Day (March 26), than any bet made on this prop will be voided.
An Embarrassment of Riches
The question isn’t whether or not the Yankees have the assets to land Arenado, but rather do they need him? New York is already the favorite in the 2020 World Series odds and made a big splash in free agency by signing Gerrit Cole. Their lineup is loaded from top-to-bottom and led MLB in runs last season, while finishing second in home runs, third in slugging and fourth in OBP, despite only having Giancarlo Stanton for 18 games.
What if, in some universe, the Yankees made a trade for Nolan Arenado?
"He would be beyond a superstar in this town – Aaron Judge would take a backseat to Nolan Arenado" – @jonheinpic.twitter.com/AmEmGILuFD
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) January 10, 2020
The Yankees could put together a package highlighted by top pitching prospect Deivi Garcia, as well as big leaguers Gio Urshela, Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar, but do they really want to add another $35 million player to the payroll? This is a team that fell just one game short of the World Series last season, and now with Cole anchoring their staff, appears destined to play for a title in October as is.
Don’t forget, New York was also favored to land Manny Machado last season but didn’t want to pay the $30 million-a-season price tag.
The Other Contenders
After the Yankees, the Braves, Dodgers and Cubs have the shortest odds to make a deal for Arenado. Atlanta has the most talented crop of young players to offer, but appear destined to keep them all to themselves in an effort to build a contender for many years to come.
Nolan Arenado: Good at baseball #Rockies #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/EOKK1CsB3y
— Couch Guy Sports (@CouchGuySports) April 9, 2019
Los Angeles meanwhile, has failed in attempts to acquire big name talent like Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts this offseason, because of their unwillingness to part with top infield prospect Gavin Lux. If the Dogers were unwilling to offer their prized prospect in those discussions, it seems unlikely they’ll include him in trade talks for Arenado.
Also working against LA, is the fact they’re in the same division as Colorado. The last thing the Rockies want is for Arenado to haunt them 19 times a year for the next decade.
Windy City Bound?
Which leaves the Cubs. Chicago has been rumoured to be a potential suitor for Arenado for weeks, and appear ready to move on from disgruntled third baseman Kris Bryant. The two teams have reportedly already discussed a deal involving the two sluggers, and the addition of Arenado would make the Cubs a serious player in the wide open NL Central.
https://twitter.com/Cubs_Live/status/1222588409241395201
If Colorado is unwilling to take on Bryant’s big contract, Chicago does have a trio elite prospects they could offer (Nico Hoerner, Miguel Amaya and Brailyn Marquez), but that certainly won’t be its first choice.
The best chance of a trade being completed between these two teams would involve an exchange of current big leaguers. If Bryant doesn’t suit the Rockies, perhaps a package built around all-star catcher Willson Contreras, who has three seasons left before free agency, might do the trick.
Pick: Cubs +500
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
