Report: Rockies trade Nolan Arenado to Cardinals

A huge domino has fallen less than three weeks before Major League Baseball opens spring training. The Colorado Rockies are trading star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Additionally, the Rockies are sending upwards of $50 million in cash while Arenado will defer some of his money. Two years ago, Arenado signed an eight year contract extensions worth $255 million. Rosenthal is reporting Arenado would keep his opt out after 2021 and get an additional opt out after 2022 while retaining his full no-trade clause. Given the

The package of players coming back to the Rockies is not entirely clear, bit Rosenthal is hearing a host of names. He is reporting the Rockies could get a group that includes some grouping of LHP Austin Gomber, 1B Luken Baker, OF Jhon Torres, RHP Jake Woodford, and RHP Angel Rondón. It won't include all these players, but it will include quite a few of them.

Arenado has played eight seasons in Colorado. In 2019, he had a full season slash line of .315/.379/.583 with 5.7 WAR. Prior to the shortened 2020 season, Arenado finished eighth place or better in MVP voting five straight seasons.