5 potential trade suitors for Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado

If the Braves make sense as a trade suitor for Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, they are easily to mention as possibly in the mix for Arenado. They were reported to have interest in him last offseason.

The Braves will have to pony up to extend first baseman Freddie Freeman soon. But in a broader sense, they are in good position payroll-wise for 2021 and beyond. If they find a way to get out from under a couple sizable shorter-term obligations this offseason, then more money can be freed up.

After reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2001 last year, and taking the eventual champion Dodgers the full seven games, the Braves have a case to make win-now moves this offseason. Recent history (Josh Donaldson, Marcell Ozuna) suggest something that would amount to a one-year deal won’t turn them off. In the big picture, the Rockies might have to eat some of Arenado’s remaining money to get a deal done and bolster their return.

Arenado opting out after 2021 is harder to imagine if he’s already away from the Rockies. The Braves are in position to contend for the foreseeable future. So his addition would be a move rooted in urgency to win a World Series in 2021, while they also stand as an appealing long-term spot Arenado would waive his no-trade clause for.