
Image Credit: CBS Sports
The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League looking to deal their third baseman, a club has yet to discuss a new contract with a terrific starting pitcher, and a club is looking to add a pitcher to their starting rotation.
Colorado Rockies Want New York Mets to Acquire Third Baseman Nolan Arenado
The Colorado Rockies are looking to the New York Mets to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado, per a report by Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Sources: The #Mets are a much more realistic Nolan Arenado suitor than the #Dodgers. I listed a few reasons why on @MLBNetwork today. But it’s also true that the Mets have priorities ahead of Arenado (read: George Springer) at the moment. @MLB https://t.co/PGIb7mqweo
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 16, 2020
The Rockies prefer the Mets as they do not want to deal Arenado within their division, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have been interested in acquiring the third baseman.
There are a couple of roadblocks for any team looking to acquire Arenado.
The first involves his current contract, as he will make $199 million over the next six years, including making $35 million during the 2021 season.
Secondly, Arenado also has an opt-out clause in his contract that can be exercised after the 2021 season has concluded.
Lastly, he has a full no-trade clause.
The Mets are trying to improve their team this offseason, and adding Arenado would represent a significant upgrade.
They are in a small group of teams that can take on Arenado’s contract as their new owner Steve Cohen has deep pockets.
Arenado struggled last year in a condensed schedule by posting a .253 average and .738 OPS in 48 games with eight home runs and 26 RBIs.
However, he remained magnificent playing defense at third base as he collected his eighth straight Gold Glove.
The Mets would ask Arenado to waive his opt-out clause as it would not be logical to acquire him for one season, and then he becomes a free agent.
Another aspect of a potential deal with Arenado would have the Mets send second baseman Robinson Cano to the Rockies, as mentioned by Morosi.
This makes sense for salary purposes as Cano will not be paid a salary for the 2021 season as he was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs.
Cano is set to make $48 million between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Mets are still focused on trying to sign either starting pitcher Trevor Bauer or outfielder George Springer.
However, if they acquire Arenado, they can focus their attention on Bauer.
If the Mets can acquire Arenado and do not have to give up too much prospect capital, it is a deal they should make.
The Rockies would benefit from the trade as they would have a vast contract off their payroll.
They could use those savings and try to sign shortstop Trevor Story as he will be a free agent at the end of next season.
The Mets landing Arenado would create a buzz with the team that has not been around for several years.
Washington Nationals Have Yet to Discuss New Contract with Ace Starting Pitcher Max Scherzer
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer could be looking for a new MLB team next season as the Nationals have not had any discussions about a contract extension.
Scherzer could potentially be a free agent after the 2021 season.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Scherzer said, per Todd Dybas of NBC Sports Washington.
Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals in early 2015, and it is a deal that has worked out tremendously for the team.
Scherzer won the National League Cy Young in 2016 and 2017 and helped them win the World Series in 2019.
In his six years with the club, Scherzer has compiled an 84-43 record with a 2.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 1,143 strikeouts over 1,118 innings.
The right-hander did struggle by his standards last year as he accumulated a 3.74 ERA in 67 1/3 innings (12 starts) with 92 strikeouts, 10 home runs allowed, and a 1.38 WHIP.
Scherzer is a rare case in which a free-agent starting pitcher has been great for much of the contract.
I expect Scherzer to bounce back in 2021, be a finalist for the NL Cy Young, and should have a new contract before spring training concludes.
San Diego Padres Exploring Trade for Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitcher Sonny Gray
The San Diego Padres are interested in acquiring starting pitcher Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds, per Robert Murray of FanSided.
Gray could be the replacement for the injured Mike Clevinger, says Murray.
Clevinger is out for the 2021 campaign as he underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-November.
Gray has thrown the ball well in his two years with the Reds, as indicated by 3.07 ERA in 231 1/3 innings pitched (42 starts) with 277 strikeouts, 21 home runs yielded, a 153 ERA+, and 3.33 FIP.
The MLB right-hander has a favorable contract as he will make $20.2 million over the next two seasons after signing a three-year deal in January 2019.
Gray would be a fantastic addition to the Padres’ starting rotation.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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