10 Jan 2020 19:44:23
ATL- Nolan Arenado
COL- Austin Riley, Drew Waters, Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright

1.) 10 Jan 2020
10 Jan 2020 21:14:11
The Braves haven't been in on any of the high-profile FAs. It seems clear they don't want to pay those prices. So it makes no sense that they would pay Arenado that kind of money AND give up a significant return for him.

2.) 11 Jan 2020
11 Jan 2020 09:15:14
Arenado is not only already at market pricing $ 60 MM for 2 years, but also has an opt out after those two years. The package being offered should go to a guy like Betts or Lindor. They're at least top five players in MLB. Lindor would be about $ 15 MM less over the two years as well. If Cleveland would take that package, then the Braves should offer it and see if Cleveland bites. Who knows. maybe the Indians would want some different guys like a catcher instead of one of the pitchers? .

3.) 11 Jan 2020
11 Jan 2020 23:11:51
Let's not pretend like Arenado isn't great, though. For starters, since 2016, he's 8th in WAR (among hitters) at 22.4 WAR. Lindor is 5th with 23.2. So there isn't much of a gap between the two.

Two, Arenado is signed to a long-term deal that does include an opt-out. He'll be a full year older than Rendon was this offseason and is already making what Rendon will make. Will he opt out? Who knows. It's not a sure thing.

Third, even if Arenado does opt out, the team acquiring him gets the same amount of time to use as Lindor and one more guaranteed year than Betts. I would imagine a stronger package would be necessary for Lindor, just based on the money alone, but a team could easily justify paying Arenado what he's making. That's not a terrible contract.

That said, I still don't think the Braves would want to make a deal like this. They have plenty of money and plenty of draw for elite FAs and haven't been in on any of the major ones. So I'm not seeing why Arenado makes sense all of a sudden.