3 potential trade proposals for Arenado

The likelihood of a Nolan Arenado trade is reportedly down to a coin flip, as the Colorado Rockies are fielding offers for the superstar third baseman and looking for a package that includes a controllable first baseman or center fielder.

While 29 teams should line up to acquire Arenado, it will be incredibly difficult for the Rockies to trade the seven-time Gold Glove winner. The 28-year-old is under contract for seven more seasons, so Colorado should look for a haul in return. However, Arenado can opt out after 2021, so teams may be hesitant to pay up for a player who can leave after two years.

Six clubs are reportedly in contact with the Rockies regarding Arenado, with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Washington Nationals seemingly leading the way. The Los Angeles Dodgers are also interested, though Colorado is disinclined to deal its star within the division.

Here are three potential offers for Arenado:

Texas Rangers

Why it works: Of all the teams rumored to be interested in Arenado, the Rangers stand to gain the most. For the Rockies, if they prefer not to deal Arenado within the division, then shipping him to the opposite league would likely be preferable.

The clubs line up quite well, too. Texas would likely have to part with its top prospect and 2019 eighth overall pick, third baseman Jung, who has torn the cover off the ball during his short minor-league career.

Jung is the headliner and would eventually fill the gap that Arenado leaves, but the Rockies would need one of their stated requirements back, too, and Calhoun is a candidate.

Arenado would be the superstar presence the Rangers are looking for ahead of the opening of Texas' new ballpark.

Why it doesn't work: Calhoun took a step forward at the plate last year but likely can't hack it in center field.

It might make more sense for the Rockies to look at Sam Huff - who was named the Futures Game MVP last year - and top-end pitching prospects, though Texas almost certainly views Huff as a part of its future.

Burke, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Jurickson Profar trade and made it to the majors last year, and former top prospect Solak are respectable pieces. However, if the Rockies settle for Leody Taveras - who can man center but has struggled as a prospect - over Calhoun, they could possibly get Hans Crouse or Cole Winn instead.

Atlanta Braves

Why it works: Similar to the Rangers deal, this is built around immediately replacing Arenado with a top-tier prospect at third base.

Riley was mashing at Triple-A when he earned his call to the majors and is viewed as one of the better hitting prospects in baseball. The 23-year-old stormed out of the gate when he earned his promotion and will be a permanent fixture in the majors soon.

Unlike the Rangers' package, though, Waters is capable of playing center and two pitchers - both of whom could immediately help the Rockies' major-league depth - are involved.

Why it doesn't work: It might be difficult for the Rockies to part with Arenado without getting Cristian Pache and one of Ian Anderson or Kyle Wright. But those names are likely off the table if the Braves give up Riley.

Also, while it serves Atlanta well to liquidate extraneous assets, it likely makes more sense for the Rockies to target Wright. His ceiling is higher than Toussaint's or Wilson's, but accumulating depth might be the right call for a Colorado team struggling to fill out its rotation. The Rockies may also prefer Sean Newcomb over Toussaint.

The Braves could potentially include Ender Inciarte instead of Camargo, who's good enough to be an everyday player but is simply the odd man out for Atlanta.

Washington Nationals

Why it works: Robles is the Rockies' best option if they're serious about their pursuit of controllable center fielders.

The Nationals have reportedly been unwilling to include Robles in a package for Arenado but that's a bullet they'll have to bite if they want the five-time All-Star.

Why it doesn't work: This one lacks the multiple pieces that help truly kick-start a rebuild. However, the Nationals don't have much more to work with, so assembling the package around two upper-tier young players is likely their only move.

The Rockies don't necessarily need Kieboom, but he's an intriguing piece. The middle infielder hit .303/.409/.493 with 16 homers and five stolen bases in 109 games last year at Triple-A. However, acquiring him would only raise more questions about what the Rockies' plans are for Garrett Hampson and Brendan Rodgers.

Given that Washington would be parting with Robles and Kieboom, it would be difficult for the Rockies to also lure away Jackson Rutledge - the Nats' top pitching prospect - so they'd have to settle for Crowe, who is highly touted but has yet to translate his potential into results.