Colorado Rockies: Trades and other simulated moves we made

Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies — PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies makes a play on a ground ball hit by Brandon Drury #27 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Chase Field on September 11, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Drury was forced out at first base. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Signed third baseman Nolan Arenado: 7 years, $203 million ($29m annually) plus 8th year option at the same rate. $5m buyout. $208m guaranteed.

Why we did it: There is no question that Nolan Arenado is the cornerstone of the Rockies. He is one of the most talented players in Major League Baseball, at the plate and in the field. We wanted to lock him up for the long term and this deal does just that.

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Our friends at BirdsWatcher.com, covering the Baltimore Orioles, started the FanSided Winter Meetings by extending Manny Machado with a seven-year, $199.5 million deal. We had to show Nolan that we thought even higher of him by making our contract with him a little sweeter.

Is this large contract going to make it tough for the Rockies to lock up other players like Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu? Quite possibly. However, if we had to pick one of the three players that we knew was going to be in Denver for the prime of his career, that could only be Arenado.

This move also sends a message to the rest of the National League that the Rockies do not plan on going anywhere in the foreseeable future. With Arenado holding down third base and hitting third or cleanup, he will continue to frustrate Colorado’s opponents for years to come. We could not be happier.

Signed third baseman Nolan Arenado: 7 years, $203 million ($29m annually) plus 8th year option at the same rate. $5m buyout. $208m guaranteed.

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