Colorado Rockies: Three trade package ideas for Nolan Arenado

Trade #3: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

A trade home for Arenado would be something that stings a little less for Rockies fans. One, because he would be returning to his native southern California. Two, he would be in the American League. I would love to see Arenado hit in front or behind Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani … and so would the rest of the baseball world.

The Angels, who will be under a new manager in 2019, need to start winning with Mike Trout Otherwise, they could be facing a similar situation to Arenado of “will he, won’t he, and should we?” in a few years and a guy like Arenado would help the winning part move faster.

So here’s the trade…

Los Angeles Angels receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, RHP Harrison Musgrave

Colorado Rockies receive: RHP Cam Bedrosian, OF Jordan (Jo) Adell (#15, MLB.com), LHP Patrick Sandoval, RHP Joe Gatto

Cam Bedrosian would be a very solid piece that the Rockies could get back, and I don’t think the Angels would feel it very much. He’s been, quietly, one of the more solid relievers in baseball the last three seasons. His only downside is he hasn’t exactly tipped the scale in appearances, averaging just 55 over three seasons, and that’s skewed by 71 in 2018 compared to just 48 and 45 in 2017 and 2016. But when he pitches he has been effective. In 149 innings since 2016, he has compiled a 3.26 ERA, giving up just 13 home runs and averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine. He still has time to grow, as he just turned 27 years old three weeks ago, and could be a good asset for the Rockies.

Jo Adell gets me jazzed up. The kid is going to be a star in this league, and it isn’t a secret. In only his second season of professional baseball, the No. 10 pick of the 2017 draft hit a combined .290/.355/.543 in 2018, including 20 home runs, 77 RBI, 32 doubles, four triples, 83 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in just 99 games between A, A+, and Double-A. May I also remind you that he turned 19 during Opening Week.

In 148 career minor league games, he has hit .302/.362/.539 with 25 home runs, 107 RBI, 43 doubles, 12 triples, 123 runs scored, and swiped 23 bases. He also played all three outfield positions, but mostly in center field. He’s a true five-tool player. If you’re trading your best player, and one of the best in baseball, you need to get Jo Adell back.

Patrick Sandoval would be a serious get for the Rockies in a trade with the Angels. He’s not extremely highly rated in the Angels system, as he entered the year as Los Angeles’ No. 19 prospect (via MLB.com), but all the 11th round pick of the 2015 draft did was have a monster 2018 season. Between A, A+, and Double-A, he compiled a 2.06 ERA in 122.1 innings, with 145 strikeouts to just 29 walks. When the 2019 prospect lists rolls around, I’m sure he will springboard up the list. As of right now, however, the recently turned 22-year-old left hander is an underrated prospect that would be an excellent get for Colorado.

Joe Gatto is the upside throw-in in this scenario. The 23-year-old right-hander has a career 4.80 ERA in 390 innings across five minor league seasons. I think maybe after that kind of production, he should be moved to the bullpen and give that a try. He’s started 86 of the 90 games that he has appeared in, and a change of position and scenery would probably be a good thing.

Obviously this is all speculation, but the teams that I mentioned would likely be in the mix for Arenado if he were to be put on the block. While it may not seem like the Rockies would be getting a lot back, you have to keep in the back of your mind that it could only be a one-year rental for these teams, and if Colorado could manage to get a top prospect and a solid Major Leaguer or two, you’re still in contention to win in 2019.

This is one of those rare scenarios where a good team may have to consider parting with their best player. I, like the rest of Rockies fans, hope that this article never needs to be used for reference, but the possibility for a trade like this is definitely there.