Toronto Blue Jays: Nolan Arenado situation presents opportunity

With Nolan Arenado making his frustrations with the Colorado Rockies apparent, the Toronto Blue Jays have an opportunity to make things interesting.

If there is one benefit with the Toronto Blue Jays not making the big splash during free agency, it’s that they have the flexibility to explore something bigger on the trade market.

Over the last few weeks, we have heard about the possibility of the team acquiring Mookie Betts while taking on David Price‘s mammoth contract as an incentive for the Boston Red Sox to part ways with a promising member of their core.

While that possibility still remains for the Blue Jays, another opportunity appears to be opening up following Nolan Arenado‘s comments saying he feels “disrespected” by Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich.

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The All-Star third baseman had apparently been discussed as a potential trade option during the Winter Meetings but according to Bridich, that option appears to be off the table. Here’s the issue for the Rockies, not only do they have a disgruntled player but one that holds the cards when it comes to his future.

Whether Colorado wants to accept it or not, they can’t just hope that the situation will rectify itself considering they gave Arenado an opt-out after 2020 and you can bet that if he is still in the Mile High City he is going to exercise it.

How do the Blue Jays fit into this picture? Well for starters, there aren’t many teams that are capable of making a deal for arguably one of the top players in the league. The organization is not shy to this possibility considering they did this when they traded for Josh Donaldson.

Granted, any move for Arenado won’t be cheap both in terms of the package the Rockies will want and the salary he commands over the length of his deal. However, any team can use the opt-out as a negotiation tactic. It’s no different than the situation with Betts who has made it known that he wants to test free agency.

There are a couple of questions fans would probably have with a potential deal for Arenado. Where would they play Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? And what would it cost?

Let’st start with the Guerrero Jr., getting Arenado means that Vladdy would be moving off of third base and would probably do the first base/designated hitter platoon many anticipated. A potential trade would also add another dangerous bat to the lineup and provide a significant defensive upgrade.

The cost would not be cheap but you can scratch of having Vladdy, Bo Bichette, Nate Pearson and probably Cavan Biggio to any deal. Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star brought up players like Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., on the MLB roster along with prospects like Jordan Groshans and Simeon Woods Richardson. Would that be enough? Probably considering the Rockies won’t have many trade partners that will have enough high-level prospects.

It would be easy to get our hopes up about a possible trade but at the moment we will have to wait to see how the situation develops and hopefully, it’s an opportunity the Blue Jays keep their eyes on.

Next. Blue Jays pitching staff gets clearer. dark

Do you think the Blue Jays should trade for Arenado? What would the cost be? Let us know in the comments below.

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