MLB Weekly Digest February First Edition: Cardinals Acquire Arenado

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The last week in MLB was about a significant trade involving a third baseman, a team in the National League signs a catcher to a multi-year contract, and a starting pitcher is traded.

St. Louis Cardinals Reportedly Acquire Third Baseman Nolan Arenado from Colorado Rockies

The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly made a massive upgrade to their team.

They have acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies; sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

BREAKING: Cardinals have agreed to acquire Nolan Arenado from Rockies, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deal pending approval from both MLB and players’ union; Rockies sending Cardinals significant cash, believed to be in $50M range, and Arenado will be deferring money.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2021

The Rockies are sending a vast amount of cash in the deal, it might be as much as $50 million, and they would also receive five prospects from the Cardinals, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

If the deal goest through, Arenado will not only keep his out out after the 2021 season, but gain one after the 2022 season as part of forgoing the no-trade clause. The Rockies would be getting five prospects and sending $50M to the Cards.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 30, 2021

The deal will take several days to be finalized as it is pending approval by MLB and the players’ association.

Arenado will have to waive his no-trade clause formally, says Rosenthal.

Deal unlikely to be official tonight and maybe even not this weekend. Arenado will need to formally waive his no-trade clause and his opt-out after 2021 also must be addressed. Approvals from MLB and union necessary as well, as reported in initial tweet. https://t.co/xuCNkaD5kq

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2021

The amount of money the Rockies send the Cardinals will be dependent on how long Arenado remains with the Cardinals.

The third baseman will keep his opt-out clause in 2021, receive an additional opt-out clause after the 2022 campaign, and retain his full no-trade clause, per Rosenthal.

If deal between Rockies and Cardinals is finalized, Arenado will keep his opt out after 2021, get an additional opt out after 2022 and retain his full no-trade clause, sources tell @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2021

The Cardinals will extend his contract by one year worth $15 million, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

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

Arenado has played his entire career with the Rockies.

He was about to enter the third season on what was an eight-year, $260-million deal.

He will make $35 million in 2021, and after the extension by the Cardinals, he will make $214 million through 2027.

Arenado has been the best defensive third baseman in the National League over the past eight seasons.

He has won the Gold Glove at third base each year within that period.

He is just as deadly at the plate, as he has a career .293 batting average, 1,206 hits, 235 home runs, 760 RBIs, and has led the NL in homers three times.

Arenado struggled in the short season last year by posting a .253 average with just eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 48 games.

However, there is no reason to be concerned as he has a track record of being a fantastic hitter.

The Cardinals will have a potent lineup with Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

As for the Rockies, it is tough to understand what they are doing.

They signed their franchise player to a massive deal, and then years later, he gets traded.

Philadelphia Phillies Sign Catcher J.T. Realmuto to Five-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies accomplished an important goal this offseason as they have signed catcher J.T. Realmuto to a five-year, $115.5-million contract, per Craig Mish of MLB Network.

The Philadelphia Phillies and JT Realmuto are in agreement on a 5 year $115.5 million dollar contract. Pending physical. Per source.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) January 26, 2021

Realmuto’s deal has an average annual value of $23.1 million, which is the largest for a catcher in MLB history, says Mish.

Realmuto with an AAV of $23.1 million dollars is the highest ever for a major league catcher in baseball history.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) January 26, 2021

The deal also includes deferred money, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Per source: Realmuto's contract includes a $1 million assignment clause if he’s traded. He'll earn $20 million in 2021 ($10 million deferred, paid $5 million each in 2026 and 2027). He'll earn $23.875 million per season from 2022-25.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 26, 2021

Before Realmuto’s deal, Brian McCann signing a five-year, $85-million contract with the New York Yankees in 2013 was the largest for a free-agent catcher.

However, Joe Mauer agreeing to an eight-year, $184-million extension with the Minnesota Twins in 2010 remains the most guaranteed money for a catcher.

Realmuto has been solid in two seasons with the Phillies by compiling a .273 batting average and .825 OPS in 192 games with 36 home runs and 115 RBIs within that period.

He provides more value with his defensive skills as a catcher, so he commanded a large contract.

New York Mets Trade Starting Pitcher Steven Matz to Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Mets have traded left-handed pitcher Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays.

OFFICIAL: We've acquired LHP Steven Matz from the Mets in exchange for RHPs Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diáz and Josh Winckowski.

Welcome to the #BlueJays, @Smatz88! pic.twitter.com/EfFJgfpq0i

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 28, 2021

The Mets received three right-handed pitchers in Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diaz, and Josh Winckowski.

Matz struggled the last two years with the Mets as he posted a 5.09 ERA in 191 innings pitched (36 starts) with 189 strikeouts, 5.11 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, and 41 home runs allowed.

The Mets traded Matz to get some salary relief and create an opening in their starting rotation.

The left-hander will make $5.2 million in 2021.

Matz’s salary might not seem too high, but the savings are crucial for a Mets team that wants to sign starting pitcher Trevor Bauer and not exceed the luxury-tax threshold by a wide margin.

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Chris Lacey

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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