Manny Machado’s 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres has everyone wondering what it means for Bryce Harper in the coming days. But what about Rockies star Nolan Arenado next offseason?
Arenado, who plays in the same division as Machado, is arguably a better player than San Diego’s latest catch. Arenado has more career home runs (186 vs. 175), RBIs (616 vs. 513) and a higher career batting average (.291 vs. .282) and OPS (.886 vs. .822) than Machado.
Sure, Arenado plays his home games at Coors Field, but he’s also played 50 fewer games in his career. He's cashing in $26 million this season with the Rockies but can test free agency in 2020.
“I don’t know what it’s like out there. Part of me wants to find out,” he said Thursday when asked about his potential free agency (via the Los Angeles Times). “But part of me is like ‘Hey, I want to be one of the best Rockies players of all time.’”
Feels good to be back pic.twitter.com/fvIDqjfylN
— Nolan Arenado. (@PlatinumAtThird) February 13, 2019
A potential suitor for Arenado come next offseason could be the division rival that benefited from Machado for the last half of 2018 — the Dodgers.
Justin Turner is still a well-above-average third baseman but will enter the final year of his contract at age 35 in 2020. And Arenado, who played his high school baseball 50 miles south of Dodger Stadium at El Toro High, has heard rumblings from people wanting him to play for L.A.
“I hear it all the time. It’s cool, man. I love it,” Arenado said. “Listen, man: Playing in L.A. is my favorite place to play on the road. It’s a lot of fun. It’s just a great place. A lot of history there. I’ve known them as a kid, me and my family. I love it. But I can’t predict the future.”
Colorado certainly could extend its star third baseman during the season, but if Arenado manages to hit the open market, expect a dozen teams to slide offers across to his side of the negotiating table. And thanks to Machado this season, the numbers will be big.