MLB Rumors: Rockies 'Want to Engage' Mets in Trade Talks for Nolan Arenado

With the Rockies still open to trading star third baseman Nolan Arenado, the club reportedly wants to engage in discussions with the Mets.

With the Rockies still open to trading star third baseman Nolan Arenado, the club hopes to have some discussions with the Mets.

"The team that I am watching very carefully–that I was told even this week is the team the Rockies want to engage with–is the New York Mets," Jon Morosi reported on MLB Network's Hot Stove on Wednesday morning, via SNY.

According to Morosi, the Rockies are looking to cut some payroll in order to sign pending free agent Trevor Story. However, the club does not want to trade Arenado to the Dodgers and would prefer to send him to a team outside of the National League West. 

Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million contract with Colorado in 2019 but has the ability to opt out after the 2021 season. Despite becoming arguably the best third baseman in baseball, he's grown discontent with the Rockies' inability to build a contending team around him.

The Mets have been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason after billionaire Steve Cohen took over as owner in November. They've already signed notable free agents like reliever Trevor May and catcher James McCann and adding Arenado would provide an offensive and defensive boost.

Arenado, 29, hit .253 last season and won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove. He's also a four-time Platinum Glove winner, four-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star.

Check out the latest news and rumors around MLB:

• MLB announced it will elevate the Negro Leagues to major league status and the players' statistics will become part of MLB's history. 
• The Rays have agreed to a one-year, $3 million dollar deal with free-agent catcher Mike Zunino. The deal includes a club option for 2022. (Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times and Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
• Buster Posey will remain the Giants' "primary catcher" in 2021 after opting out of the 2020 season, manager Gabe Kapler announced on Tuesday.
• Free-agent centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is drawing interest from the Phillies, Cubs and Blue Jays, among other MLB teams. (Jon Morosi, MLB Network)
• The 2021 MLB season may be delayed since league executives and owners want players to be vaccinated before spring training. The delay could push the start of the season to May and shorten it to 140 games, at most. (Bob Nightengale, USA Today) 
• Yankees manager Aaron Boone said re-signing DJ LeMahieu is the team's "No. 1 priority."