Rockies all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado became a very wealthy young man Friday when he signed a two-year contract worth $29.5 million, avoiding salary arbitration.
“I’m just happy to be over this, to be honest with you,” said Arenado, who will make $11.75 million in 2017 and $17.75 million in 2018. “Money is one of my least-favorite topics, and I don’t like talking about it, so itap nice to get it over with. I’m just happy that it worked out for both sides.”
The Rockies also avoided arbitration with center fielder Charlie Blackmon and right-handed starter Tyler Chatwood, signing them to one-year contracts. Blackmon will get $7.3 million, up from the $3.5 million he made in 2016. Chatwood gets a raise from $1 million to $4.4 million.
Arenado, in the majors and bashed 83 home runs over the last two seasons, is a tough self-critic but said his new contract will not put more pressure on him to play well.
“Money doesn’t do anything; I’m going to be putting pressure on myself because I want to be the best and be good at this game,” Arenado said. “I take pride in it. I don’t like to let the fans down, and I don’t like to let my teammates down. That’s why I’m my hardest critic.”
His new contract leaves Arenado with one year of arbitration remaining for the 2019 season, after which he is scheduled to become a free agent. There was never any real discussion about a long-term deal, or even a three-year deal that would have taken Arenado through his final year of arbitration.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies hits a first inning grand slam home run off of Brett Anderson of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 26, 2015 in Denver.
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Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sep. 23, 2016 in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies wipes sweat from his face in the first inning against the San Diego Padres on June 12, 2016 at Coors Field.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado follows through with his swing after connecting for a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Tyler Clippard on May 11, 2016, in Denver.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies reacts to flying out to deep centerfield against Jeff Locke of the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 25, 2016.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies takes the field against the St. Louis Cardinals during a National League showdown on June 9, 2015.
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Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado gets airborne over Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner after forcing him out at second base on Sept. 15, 2015, in Los Angeles.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies walks into the dugout after the top half of the sixth inning at Coors Field on April 25, 2016.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with teammates after his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 20, 2016 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Penn.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies looks back for the tag after Yasmany Tomas of the Arizona Diamondbacks stole third base at Coors Field in Denver on June 24, 2016.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies prepares to take the field for the top of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants on May 24, 2015 in Denver.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies blows a bubble during a break in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field. The Colorado Rockies hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, April 25, 2016.
Associated Press file
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado fields the ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sept. 24, 2015.
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Brandon Crawford (35) of the San Francisco Giants dives into third base ahead of a tag by Nolan Arenado (28) of the Colorado Rockies in front of umpire Mark Wegner during the sixth inning at AT&T Park on Sept. 29, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado throws to first base to put out Milwaukee Brewers' Martin Maldonado during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Denver.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies watches his RBI sac-fly during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on Aug. 17, 2016 in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez hold up jerseys they will wear as starters for the National League in the All-Star Game, before facing the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game Saturday, July 9, 2016, in Denver.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on June 23, 2016 in Denver.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado is congratulated by teammates as Arenado returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Daniel Wright on May 31, 2016, in Denver.
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Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies hits a first inning grand slam home run off of Brett Anderson of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 26, 2015 in Denver.
“The topic has really not come up as of late,” Arenado said. “I’m locked up for two years, and our focus was on that. Honestly, I think the (Rockies’) focus is on pitching, and I think it should be. I am here for another three years … So I think the concern is getting the team better in different categories. Maybe one day we can get back to this and work something out. … Right now, we are focused on winning and other things, and that’s OK.”
Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said: “Nolan earned his contract, and the club treated him right.”
Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said negotiations went smoothly.
“Over a couple days, each side kind of thought about it, without going into any specifics, and then we were able to quickly get things done (Friday),” Bridich said. “I felt like this was a good deal for him and a good deal for us. We are excited for Nolan.”
Footnotes. The Rockies are done signing all of their arbitration-eligible players. Earlier in the offseason, the club finalized one-year deals with relievers Jake McGee ($5.9 million) and Jordan Lyles ($3.18 million). … The Rockies on Friday signed veteran outfielder Chris Denorfia to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league camp. The right-handed Denorfia, 36, played for new Rockies manager Bud Black with San Diego from 2010-14. … Jerry Weinstein, who has been in college and professional baseball since 1966 and is managing Team Israel for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, has been named manager of the Double-A Hartford (Conn.) Yard Goats. Weinstein, 73, is beginning his 11th season in the Rockies’ system.
