Report: Arenado files for record $30M salary in arbitration
No matter the outcome, Nolan Arenado is headed for the record books.
Arenado and the Colorado Rockies failed to reach an agreement before Friday afternoon's arbitration deadline after the All-Star third baseman filed for what would be a record $30-million salary, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Colorado has reportedly countered at $24 million, which would also be an MLB record. Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson currently holds the salary arbitration record after signing a $23-million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last year.
If Arenado goes to a hearing and beats the Rockies, he'll receive a $12.25 million raise from his salary in 2018. That would shatter the record for the largest raise for an arbitration player set by Jacob deGrom earlier Friday.
Arenado and the Rockies can still avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract before next month's hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. It appears that the sides will do just that, as sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan that it's likely they'll settle at somewhere close to $27 million.
"This is a business, we'll see what happens," Arenado told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post when asked if he might sign a deal before the hearing.
The 27-year-old finished third in NL MVP voting last year and is set to become a free agent following this season.