Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceScaling the RocksWhat Nolan Arenado’s contract means beyond years and moneyNew Carl Yastrzemski Jersey ,6commentsIt shows a commitment to winningMSTShareTweetShareShareWhat Nolan Arenado’s contract means beyond years and moneyIt’s been just over a week since Nolan Arenado signed his 8-year, $260-million dollar contract. While Rockies fans celebrated and parsed the specifics, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal began putting together the story behind the deal. If you haven’t read “Tense Moments, Heart-to-hearts, and Mr. October: Inside Nolan Arenado’s Record-setting Deal,” I recommend it. Everyone but Dick Monfort spoke to Rosenthal about the negotiations, which suggests this is the definitive account. The story is fascinating, but there’s one passage that’s especially revealing:This leaves me very encouraged about the Rockies’ future for a few reasons:Dick Monfort and Jeff Bridich assured Arenado the Rockies intend to keep winning. Arenado has always been clear that being on a winning team matters more to him than money (As he put it, “Winning is the No. 1 thing for me, and I’m only getting older”). Before signing this deal, he needed to know that the Rockies are as committed to winning as he is. Monfort and Bridich provided that assurance. Arenado believes enough to stake his dreams on this contract.The contract has a three-year opt-out clause that significantly empowers Arenado. After three years, Arenado can choose to leave the Rockies, which gives them a strong incentive to keep winning. In adding this clause (which was Ted Williams Jersey , apparently, at the insistence of his agent, Joel Wolfe), Arenado has given himself considerable leverage over the Rockies to ensure that they hold up their end.Dick Monfort is willing to spend. The ways in which an institution allocates resources indicates its values. The Rockies have shown that they value players, giving lucrative contracts to Bud Black (3 years), Charlie Blackmon (6 years, $108 million), Wade Davis, (3 years, $52 million), Jake McGee (3 years, $27 million), and Bryan Shaw (3 years http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey , $27 million). Regardless of your feelings about spending that much on relievers, it reflects the Rockies’ values, which is especially significant at a time when some teams are choosing to tank. After years of hearing “The Monforts are cheap” and “They just want another Party Deck,” it’s clear that the Rockies’ ownership, despite the considerable financial risk, is serious about winning. Nolan Arenado’s contract embodies that commitment.The Rockies are trying to lock down other players they see as essential. According to Arenado, Monfort and Bridich said they are trying to extend other key players, presumably Trevor Story, Kyle Freeland, and German Mrquez. This is another sign that the Rockies are committed to winning. To quote Arenado, “It meant something to me.”It should mean something to fans, too. Yes, this is a win for Nolan Arenado: He’s going to get paid and have some control over his future. Yes Nomar Garciaparra Jersey , it’s a win for the Major League Baseball Players’ Association (Arenado is currently featured on their website). Yes, it’s a win for the Rockies, who keep their best player and the face of the franchise. But it’s also a win for fans. In negotiating this contract, Arenado used his power to try to ensure continued success at Coors Field.With Arenado’s contract, the Rockies have made clear that they’re all in. JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Leaving the clubhouse following his first exhibition game this year, St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina received a congratulatory fist bump from third baseman Matt Carpenter.“It’s good to have you back,” said Carpenter, one All-Star to another.Molina went 1 for 2 as a designated hitter Friday, the 36-year-old’s first game since left knee surgery in mid-December. Molina is likely to be behind the plate on Saturday, catching Adam Wainwright against Houston — about a week ahead of the original projection for him to catch.“I can’t really tell you how happy I am just to be back with Waino,” Molina said.A nine-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove, Molina singled through the left side off Patrick Corbin and scored in a three-run Cardinals‘ first.“Just proves yet again he’s a special guy http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey ,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “Comes in, first at-bat, gets down 0-2 and battles, battles, battles. It’s impressive to see a guy that takes a pro at-bat like that — that can work on getting his timing as the at-bat goes.”Molina then lined out to first.“I was nervous about how I was going to feel but that’s a good nervous and everything feels fine, everything feels good with my body,” Molina said. “I’m happy to be back and part of the team again.”Marcel Ozuna replaced Molina at designated hitter, striking out twice. Ozuna, hitless in 14 spring training at-bats, had right shoulder surgery on Oct. 30. He is slated to join outfielders in throwing drills on Saturday and could make his first outfield appearance on Monday in left.“I think it’s going to help when he gets into games because that flow of play will get him in a little bit of rhythm,” Shildt said.