Colorado Rockies: The only solution to the Nolan Arenado-Jeff Bridich rift

This week, for really the first time since the rift between Colorado Rockies franchise player Nolan Arenado and the club’s ownership became apparent, the two sides seemed to make some sort of an effort to mend fences … or at least to give that appearance.

National pundits have stated with frequency over the past several weeks that the relationship is irreconcilable. Either Nolan Arenado has to go or GM Jeff Bridich has to go. And while Bridich’s departure from the organization would likely be a cause of celebration for Colorado Rockies fans, it is unlikely to happen at the moment.

Luckily for Rockies fans, it also looks like Arenado will start the season with the team. So what does the team do about this supposedly irreconcilable rift? The answer is simple, even if unlikely. The truth is, nothing in sports is actually irreconcilable and, as the old adage states, winning fixes everything.

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Some might laugh, noting that the chances the Rockies can win in 2020 are slim (and they are). But the pieces are there, and the talent is there. Will it produce results? That’s anyone’s guess, but it’s not like we’re talking about the Baltimore Orioles finding a way to win. There is still hope for the Rockies in 2020. At least for two more months.

And if the Rockies do manage to find a way to win in 2020, the last thing we’ll be reading about is Arenado and Bridich’s relationship. Despite all the talk this offseason, if the club clinches a playoff spot, Arenado and Bridich will still spray each other down with champagne, sporting broad smiles like nothing ever happened.

Does that mean Bridich won’t continue his terrible habit of alienating the team’s best players? No. Does it mean he’ll suddenly become a good general manager? No. Does it mean the larger institutional problem that led to this issue is solved? No. It doesn’t even prevent Arenado from exercising his opt-out after 2021. But it might just hold the clubhouse together long enough to get things back on track. Right now, it’s the team’s only hope. There’s going to be a lot to play for in 2020.