MLB financial situation “pushes” Nolan Arenado to stay with Colorado Rockies, says ESPN’s Buster Olney

With Major League Baseball’s 2020 season impacted by COVID-19, the financial repercussions could ensure Nolan Arenado stays with the Colorado Rockies says one prominent baseball analyst.

In a tweet on Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Buster Olney discussed the financial situation that is brewing with losses of revenue in the 2020 season, whether it happens or not.

“The anticipation among agents is that as teams look for ways to offset financial losses into 2021, the free agents/4+ and 5+ arbitration-eligible players will take the biggest hits,” Olney tweeted. He then went on to mention the situation between the Colorado Rockies and Nolan Arenado.

There has long been talk about the Rockies reportedly looking to trade Arenado as well as what might happen with Arenado’s opt-out clause in his contract when it comes into play at the end of the 2021 season. However, with Arenado set to make $35 million each year through the 2024 season (along with $32 million in 2025 and $27 million in 2026) and MLB revenues taking a hit without, at best case, a full season being played in 2020, it may be very unlikely to find another team that would be willing to take on Arenado’s salary.

Olney went on to give a very good prediction for Rockies fans.

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If the financial situation and lack of baseball in 2020 “pushes” Arenado to remain in a Rockies uniform until his age 36 season, it would be a boost for a fanbase that has been hearing about the discord between Arenado and Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich since well before spring training began this year.

With other MLB teams now potentially less likely to be able to throw money toward Arenado in hopes of luring him away from the Rockies, this could be a situation where Rockies fans would gladly lose part of a season (and the developments that followed it) knowing Arenado would be patrolling the hot corner at Coors Field for years to come.

Of course, there is plenty developing in terms of the 2020 season and how this week’s discussions will impact the Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball. We will be watching and bring you the latest developments.