Rockies, Arenado avoid arbitration with record 1-year, $26M deal

Jan 31, 2019, 6:58 PM

Watch: The good, the bad and the UGLY from Broncos Preseason Game No. 2 | 11 mins

All-star third baseman Nolan Arenado and the Colorado Rockies agreed on a one-year deal worth a reported $26 million to avoid arbitration, the team announced Thursday evening.

The deal is the largest one-year salary for an arbitration-eligible player, according to the Associated Press, breaking the previous mark of $23 million set by Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

Earlier in January, the four-time all-star asked for $30 million in salary arbitration while the Rockies offered $24 million, thus he would have broken Donaldson’s record either way.

Wrapping up Arenado’s deal means that the Rockies have now agreed to contracts with all eight of its arbitration-eligible players, including pitchers Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis, Jon Gray, Scott Oberg, and Chris Rusin, shortstop Trevor Story, and catcher Tony Wolters.

In 2018, Arenado batted .297 with a National League-leading 38 home runs, 110 RBI, and 73 walks, finishing third in MVP voting.

The sure-handed fielder also captured his sixth consecutive Gold Glove, besting Larry Walker’s previous club record of five, while also earning a second straight Platinum Glove, awarded to the best defensive player in each league as voted on by fans.

A second-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Arenado has earned a spot on the N.L. All-Star team each season since 2015, starting at third base for the past two seasons.

Arenado is eligible to be a free agent after the 2019 season and could demand a strong market for his services come next offseason.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.