Nolan Arenado has moved on from ‘hurt feelings’ in Colorado

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado has moved on following his time with the Colorado Rockies.

Back in 2020, star third baseman Nolan Arenado publicly vented his frustrations about the Colorado Rockies just one year removed from signing a massive eight-year, $260 million contract extension. After the 2020 season, the Rockies made the tough choice to move on from Arenado, sending him to the St. Louis Cardinals.

With Opening Day taking place on Thursday, Arenado told ESPN’s Marly Rivera in an exclusive interview that he has officially moved on from his time with the Rockies and is looking forward to his debut season with his new team. But, he did say that Rockies fans will hold a “special place in [his] heart.”

“I’ve moved on. That might hurt some people’s feelings over there, but I have,” Arenado said, via ESPN. “They’ll always have a special place in my heart, the fans — the people. Regardless of the people that don’t like me there, or I don’t like them, I appreciate every single one of them. I appreciate the love. I appreciate the hate. I know that I can look back at my years in Colorado and know that I gave everything that I had. I have no regrets. Now I’m here in St. Louis and I’m going to give them everything I have too.”

Nolan Arenado lets the world know he has moved on from his time with the Rockies and is looking forward with the Cardinals

Throughout the past year, many were wondering when, not if, the Rockies would pull the trigger on a Arenado deal. After much speculation, it was the Cardinals who were the ones to get a deal done.

In February, the Cardinals acquired Arenado and $50 million from the Rockies in exchange for left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, infielder Elehuris Montero, right-handed pitcher Tony Locey, infielder Mateo Gil and right-hander Jake Sommers.

Arenado is coming off a rather down year in 2020, where he slashed .253/.303/.434 while recording eight home runs and 26 RBI in 48 games. But throughout his career in Colorado, Arenado showcased why he is one of the best third basemen in the league. Through his eight years, Arenado recorded a .293 batting average, .890 OPS, 235 home runs, 649 runs scored, 760 RBI and 1,206 hits. He made the All-Star Game five-times while winning eight Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and four Platinum Gloves.

The Cardinals made the blockbuster move to acquire Arenado in hopes of making a deep run in the postseason. Arenado’s journey with St. Louis officially begins on Thursday, when the Cards take on the Cincinnati Reds.