Arenado avoids arbitration, reportedly settles for record $26M
The Colorado Rockies and All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado are avoiding arbitration and agreeing to a one-year contract, the team announced on Thursday.
Arenado will reportedly earn $26 million in 2019, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That figure is a new record salary for an arbitration-eligible player, breaking Josh Donaldson's previous mark of $23 million from 2018. He'll be paid the seventh-highest individual salary in baseball during the 2019 season, per Spotrac.
Arenado had filed for arbitration at $30 million, while the Rockies countered at $24 million.
The sides reportedly reached the historic agreement following lengthy negotiations involving Rockies owner Dick Montfort.
Arenado deal came after face-to-face meeting of several hours between Arenado, his agent Joel Wolfe, #Rockies GM Jeff Bridich and owner/CEO Dick Montfort, sources tell The Athletic. Length of meeting, avoidance of hearing positive signs as #Rockies try to sign Arenado long-term.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 1, 2019
The 27-year-old, who finished third in NL MVP voting in 2018, is scheduled to become a free agent next offseason.