Colorado Rockies reportedly trade Nolan Arenado to St. Louis Cardinals

By Kevin Henry | Jan 29, 2021

August 21, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Nolan Arenado is no longer a member of the Colorado Rockies, reportedly having been dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

Multiple sources are reporting the trade, including Ken Rosenthal and Jeff Passan on Twitter. However, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has tweeted that the deal is not official until Arenado agrees to the trade (because of his no-trade clause) and renegotiates the contract that included an opt-out clause after the 2021 season. Approval is also required from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, per Rosenthal.

Trade rumors began swirling around Arenado again on Thursday night, but multiple reporters stated nothing was imminent. However, things seem to have moved along quickly on Friday, putting an end to one of the most celebrated players in Rockies history.

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If and when the deal is finalized, Arenado will leave Denver as an eight-time Gold Glove winner, four-time Platinum Glove winner, four-time Silver Slugger, and five-time All-Star. Drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, Arenado is one of the shining examples of Colorado’s recent philosophy of bringing up Major Leaguers through their farm system.

In his career in Colorado, Arenado has accumulated 39.1 fWAR and 235 home runs and 760 RBI to go along with a career slash line of .293/.349/.541 and OPS+ of 120.

Now Colorado’s attention will likely turn to the long-term status of All-Star shortstop Trevor Story and his contract which is set to expire after the 2021 season. Will the Rockies be able to keep Story? That will be one of the biggest questions looming over the franchise with Arenado’s departure, as will what effect the icy relationship that developed between Arenado and Bridich will have on Story wanting to stay in Denver.

Next. VIDEO: The top 10 defensive plays of Nolan Arenado's career. dark

We will update this story below as news develops. Please hit refresh to see the latest information.

UPDATE

We know some of the names possibly heading to Denver in the trade, per Rosenthal.

Names possibly going to Rockies include LHP Austin Gomber, 1B Luken Baker, OF Jhon Torres. Return also might include RHP Jake Woodford or RHP Angel Rondón. Exact package not confirmed. https://t.co/QJaMyyxLwP
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2021

And some depressing news for Rockies fans here…

The #STLCards are not giving up any of their top 5 prospects in the trade. Their top prospect likely would be OF Jhon Torres, their No. 9 prospect.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2021

Things seem to be progressing…

Nolan Arenado will receive an extra guaranteed year on his contract at about $15M as part of the negotiated arrangement. Arenado is said to be thrilled by the trade to the perennially-contending #STLCards and he is expected to officially waive his no-trade as soon as tomorrow.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 30, 2021

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