Colorado Rockies: Three trade package ideas for Nolan Arenado

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DENVER, CO – JULY 25: Third baseman Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies throws to first base for the third out of the first inning against the Houston Astros during interleague play at Coors Field on July 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

It’s not that difficult to find the positive in holding on to one of the three best players to ever call Coors Field home. However, if Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich is unable to convince Nolan Arenado to stay this offseason, where does the team go from there?

There are a few options. One is to hold on to the All-Star and put a serious team around him that he feels has a chance to win from the get-go in 2019, and hope you can convince him to re-sign when he hits free agency following the 2019 season … but then the Colorado Rockies risk him walking and receiving nothing.

Option two is trading him this offseason and just ripping the Band-Aid off without letting it fester, like Baltimore did with Manny Machado. You trade Arenado and, in turn, receive the most you possibly can. You’re still in a great position to win for the 2019 season, and avoid a season similar to 2015, when Troy Tulowitzki wanted out.

Option three would be trading him at the deadline, but I don’t think that Bridich would do this for two reasons. One, the team is too good to move a player like that midway through the season, especially after last year where they underperformed and then turned it on after the All-Star Game. Two, if he’s going to trade him, it’s now or never. Get the most you can now, or take your chances in free agency.