Colorado Rockies: How to keep Nolan Arenado for more than three years

The stress is over, Colorado Rockies fans. After plenty of speculation that Nolan Arenado might try to test free agency to make a killer 2019 class, the superstar third baseman has signed for eight years, with an option to opt out after three years.

It’s not exactly ideal he can choose to leave three years from now, but that does give the Colorado Rockies a big cushion to turn the team into one Nolan Arenado will want to stay with. Here’s how they can make that happen.

The 2019 season and offseason is where the least amount of work needs to happen. The idea here is pretty simple: Develop young prospects. Obviously, extending Jon Gray and Trevor Story is important. But if there is anything we can learn from these players, along with Kyle Freeland, is developing young guys can play huge dividends in the long run.

Get Brendan Rodgers a spot in the big leagues this year if possible. Continue preparing Riley Pint and let’s hope Ryan McMahon takes a big step forward this year. It’s not a necessity to do anything special this year, but if these young players take a step forward like they should, it’s hard to not see the Rockies having a great season.

Next year (2020) is the big year. The Rockies must have an excellent regular season. It’s not unrealistic to say they should be shooting to win the division this year. Show Arenado that his team is capable of winning a World Series Pennant if he stays long-term, especially his once in a generation talent. The offseason is also going to need a lot of attention. Just like the 2017 offseason, load up on bullpen stars. If the cap space is low at that time, then flush out as much money as you can without tanking the team and gear up for the 2021 free agent class.

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The following season (2021) will be the last season with a guaranteed Nolan Arenado. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the Rockies should be expecting to be at the top of their division. If they are at a state where people are legitimately considering them to win the World Series, Arenado will for sure opt in. If you didn’t get any bullpen additions the year before, cash in the cap you have to get a stellar late game reliever to play alongside what we hope will be an all-star level Riley Pint.

If the team looks that good in 2021, with the young players stacking the lineup and a long list of solid starting pitchers, it’s hard to see Nolan leaving that team. Building around Arenado is the perfect plan. This way, Arenado will have a lot more to stay for, as well as creating a Rockies team that could really make an impact in the league.

The stress is over, Colorado Rockies fans. After plenty of speculation that Nolan Arenado might try to test free agency to make a killer 2019 class, the superstar third baseman has signed for eight years, with an option to opt out after three years.

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