Colorado Rockies: CarGo’s return sends signal to Nolan Arenado

The Colorado Rockies made news by bringing back Carlos Gonzalez on a one-year contract, a move that is expected to be official sometime today, pending the results of a physical. The move was made to not only bolster the Colorado batting order but also take a step toward showing Nolan Arenado just how serious the franchise was about not only winning but also making sure that the All-Star third baseman is happy in the Mile High City.

Keeping Arenado in purple pinstripes is important to Colorado’s future as a threat to win the National League West and keep Rocktober as a reachable goal. Knowing that the soon-to-be-27-year-old Platinum and Gold Glove-winning third baseman will be free to test the free agent market when his contract expires at the end of the 2019 season is a thought that no one who cares about the Rockies wants to think about.

With that in mind, Colorado management made a move that could not only potentially benefit the Rockies this season, but also in seasons to come. Bringing back CarGo in the locker room makes Nolan happy. It’s that simple. Hey, Arenado even said as much. And if the Rockies can put $8 million toward making Arenado happy, it could well be the best $8 million Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich could spend.

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When spring training began, Arenado put the word out there that he missed CarGo’s presence in the locker room. You can be sure Colorado executives were reading and listening to the subtle message presented in there: If Nolan ain’t happy, it may be all of the Rockies locker room who ain’t happy heading into the 2020 season without #28 sitting in there.

So yes, Carlos Gonzalez is back and that may mean less Major League at-bats this season for younger players like Raimel Tapia, David Dahl and Mike Tauchman. However, a year of further development for the next generation of Rockies could well be worth it … if CarGo plays like September 2017 CarGo played.

Next: What Jeff Hoffman's injury might mean for the Colorado rotation

Make no mistake about it, CarGo’s return has more impact on the Rockies 2018 season than any statistics will ever show. Boom or bust, Carlos Gonzalez has a far-reaching presence in the clubhouse, including in the mindset of a very important piece of Colorado’s future.