Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado watches his double off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)
Nolan Arenado’s time in a Rockies uniform is over.
The star third basemen was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night, according to multiple reports. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic was the first to break the news.
The Rockies will also be sending more than $50 million to the Cardinals to offset some of Arenado’s remaining contract.
The exact package of players Colorado will receive in return hasn’t been released.
According to the Athletic, the deal is unlikely to be made official tonight, as Arenado needs to formally waive his full no-trade clause. Arenado also has an opt-out clause after the 2021 season that he may defer to a later date as part of the agreement.
The deal is pending approval by the MLB and the players’ union. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Arenado’s opt out after the 2021 season will remain in place, and he will also have an opt out after the 2022 season.
Nightengale also reported that the Rockies will now look to sign shortstop Trevor Story to a long-term extension, as he is set to be a free agent after the 2021 season.
Speculation had been brewing throughout the offseason that the Rockies might choose to keep just one of Arenado and Story long-term, as both had the potential to depart the organization after this upcoming season.
Reports that the Rockies and Cardinals were discussing a potential trade surrounding Arenado began to surface this week, with the finishing touches quickly coming together on Friday.
Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado watches his double off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)
Arenado leaves the Rockies after eight big league seasons. He has a career slash line of .293/.349/.541 with 245 career home runs. The former second round pick out of high school in California is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in all of baseball, winning eight consecutive gold gloves at third base.
The 29-year-old is a five-time All-Star and has finished in the top 5 of N.L. MVP voting three times.
Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado reacts to striking out against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado reacts after striking out against Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood, while catcher Austin Barnes, center, and home plate umpire Mark Ripperger watch during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado picks up a ground ball in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado throws late to first base after fielding an infield single off the bat of Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado, left, reacts after hitting a three-run home run, in front of San Diego Padres catcher Jason Castro during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull)Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez, center, hands the ball to manager Bud Black, left, as he leaves during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in San Diego. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is at right. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull)Colorado Rockies’ Trevor Story (27) and Nolan Arenado (28) bump fists after both scored on a double by Josh Fuentes during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado fields a ground ball off the bat of San Diego Padres’ Jake Cronenworth and throws to first base for the put out in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Colordo Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, left, throws out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez on a grounder, with third baseman Nolan Arenado watching, during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) (Alex Gallardo)Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado connects for a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Taylor Clarke in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)
