Saturday, January 30, 2021

Could Nolan Arenado Become The Greatest Third Baseman in MLB History?

Yesterday, multiple sources indicated the Colorado Rockies will be trading third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals along with $50 million for a boatload of prospects. The deal has to be approved by both MLB and the MLBPA. 

Arenado, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Rockies beginning in 2013, made five consecutive NL All-Star Teams between 2015 and 2019. In each of those seasons, Arenado hit between 37 and 42 HRs and drove in at least 100 RBI. In the COVID shortened 2020 season, Arenado's offensive numbers slipped hitting a career low .253 with 8 HR and 26 RBI in 48 games.

I suspect Arenado won't be hitting 35 plus HR or driving in 100 runs year in and year out in St. Louis though he will certainly hit. The best part of Arenado's game is his defense at third base. In his eight big league seasons, Arenado has won eight Gold Gloves including four platinum gloves as the NL's best overall defensive player. The only other player with four platinum gloves is his new teammate Yadier Molina. 

Arenado, 29, is half way towards Brooks Robinson's 16 Gold Gloves which he won every season between 1960 and 1974. There is a chance that Arenado could become the greatest third baseman in MLB history. Considering the likes of Brooks Robinson, George Brett, Wade Boggs and Mike Schmidt, this is saying a lot

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