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Colorado Rockies: Comparing Nolan Arenado’s value to the other big three

By Aaron Hurt

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waits at third base during a pitching change in the seventh inning with Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 13, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waits at third base during a pitching change in the seventh inning with Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 13, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JULY 15: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball at third base in the first inning during game two of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on July 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 15: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball at third base in the first inning during game two of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on July 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

If the 2019 season taught us anything, it’s that $1.32 billion does not equal a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. That is a lesson the Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels learned the hard way.

The $1.32 billion is the total combined contracts these four teams shelled out for Nolan Arenado, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Mike Trout last offseason. However, these teams ended the season a combined 60 games under .500, with the Phillies leading the way with a meager 81-81 record. With the lackluster performances in the standings, it begs this question: Which team has received the best return on their investment so far after one season?

Nolan Arenado — 8 years/$260 Million

Standard Batting
Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB
2019 28 COL NL 155 662 588 102 185 31 2 41 118 3 2 62 93 .315 .379 .583 .962 129 343 14 4 0 8 11

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Arenado had arguably his best season in his seven-year career. He had career highs in batting average and OPS while striking out 29 fewer times than the previous season. He also provided his typical production numbers in home runs and RBI and should receive his sixth consecutive Gold Glove. Unfortunately, the Rockies pitching was atrocious, causing a 20-game difference in the win column from 2018.

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