Nolan Arenado and Rockies maintaining “good dialogue”

Arenado, Rockies agree at $26M, most ever for arb eligible | USA Today
Nolan Arenado spoke to the Associated Press about his one-year, $26 million agreement to avoid arbitration with the Colorado Rockies. Arenado mentioned “good dialogue” took place between both sides and that he is very happy with the number he received, even if it’s not quite the $30 million he filed at. The club will now turn its attention to a long-term deal with their star third baseman. With such talented players as Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still available on the free agent market, perhaps Arenado (and other players of his caliber) might be more open to signing an extension rather than testing the waters.

Inbox: Who will replace Ottavino in bullpen? | MLB.com
Thomas Harding, MLB.com’s beat reporter for the Rockies, answers fan questions in his latest Inbox segment. Highlights include who will replace Adam Ottavino in the bullpen and what prospects we could see make it to the Majors in 2019. Harding also addresses the recent rumors surrounding the Rockies being interested in a reunion with Carlos González. Despite reports, Harding says he has not heard that the team has expressed such interest.

Colorado Rockies: Help me, I’m dreading 2019 | Rox Pile
Colin Gaiser of Rox Pile feels a “sense of impending doom” when thinking about the upcoming Rockies’ season. Potential for the starting rotation to regress and for the offense to stay the same (which was not very good in 2018) are the primary concerns as the Rockies once again try to win their first ever National League West title.

Toolshed: Lavigne getting ready to Rock | MiLB.com
If you’re not already, I propose that it’s time to get excited about Grant Lavigne. Lavigne, the 42^nd overall pick by the Rockies in 2018’s draft, was crowned our No. 6 PuRP on Friday (and No. 2 on my list, I might add). Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com shares more about Lavigne’s journey on his quest to become the first New Hampshire native drafted out of high school as a position player to reach the big leagues. We’ve shared this quote before, but just as a reminder, Rockies’ senior director of player development Zach Wilson said of Lavigne: “I have never in my seven years of development... seen a kid this age that has the extremely advanced approach that he has.”

Rosenthal: Why the Dodgers pulled away from Bryce Harper; Nolan Arenado’s future; prospect on the move? | The Athletic ($)
Despite being baseball’s richest teams, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers do not appear to be the strongest suitors for the costliest free agents- Harper and Machado. Perhaps they could be waiting for players like Arenado, Anthony Rendon, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts or Francisco Lindor to hit the market. But it’s possibly any of these players could sign extensions with their current teams. It raises the question: What better time to spend than now? Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has this story and more.

MLB’s best player at each uniform number -- from No. 1 Ozzie Smith to No. 99 Manny Ramírez and every digit in between | CBS Sports
Jonah Keri of CBS Sports gives his best MLB player to wear each uniform number. Despite the title, there is indeed a look at No. 0 as well, which does not go to Ottavino. Todd Helton is listed at the best player to ever wear No. 17.

Inside 37-year-old pitcher Luke Hagerty’s improbable comeback story | ESPN
37-year-old Luke Hagerty is trying to make a comeback. He last pitched with a Major League affiliate in 2006 and last played in an Independent League in 2008. Now, the former first round pick is back with the Chicago Cubs, the organization that drafted him. As Jeff Passan of ESPN writes, Hagerty is hoping to do the improbable in his journey to recover from the “yips.”

José Canseco, my dad, and aliens. | Twinkie Town

Twinkie Town’s Tawny Jarvi unpacks this tweet from Jose Canseco and how it reminds her of her own life. Perhaps you will find something relatable here as well.